I have some Scutellaria alpina that I really like so far...didn't even know we had a hard freeze...it is one tough cookie...I think you are coming to the plant swap...if you like it, maybe I can divide some off for you.

I don't know whether anyone would consider it invasive, but I like lamium. It does tend to pop up around the garden, but it's easy to get rid of. It starts blooming early and repeats throughout the growing season.

I just love all the varieties of creeping thyme. It's very hardy, can take full sun between hot patio pavers or a semi-shady nook and spreads well! Plus, it smells really good and gets covered with a carpet of purple flowers. It's the perfect creeping plant for my garden, maybe it will work well for yours.

I had some creeping thyme and it was wonderfully hardy for about five years, then just went pffft. I replaced it with golden oregano "aureum" and it's been a steady performer for two years. It's only ornamental but it works as a ground cover, smells good and the tall, leggy flowers it puts up can be either tolerated or cut back without changing the rest of the plant. And this stuff nearly glows a yellow-green color, which is nice when nothing else is blooming.

BUT, I'm wanting a better bloomer for this creeping phlox place. Kat, thank you for your offer to share some Scutellaria at the upcoming swap. I'll gladly take you up on it.

Iberis Candytuft has proved dependable and freeze proof so far in central Iowa. (2 years). Same height as creeping phlox. They say it will rebloom if pruned after first bloom fades. Only white as far as I know. J in I

I have some unknown variety of Dianthus Deltoides - much deeper rose color than Deptford or the Maiden Pinks which I'm seeing on sale now everywhere from Home Depot to the local garden centers. You wouldn't think something so tiny could be as showy as it is. One little pot of those and you're set for life. Seeds are microscopic and it does seed freely. Can be invasive, but easily controlled simply by ripping it up. Shallow rooted and forms a ground hugging (barely an inch tall) mat with solitary flowers on a slender stalk.