Alternatives to the Traditional Grass Lawn

Maybe you’re looking for something a bit outside of the box; or perhaps you have little time or patience for maintaining and mowing a lawn. Whether you’re a busy homeowner looking for something easier or just someone wanting to make a statement, there are many low-maintenance and low-cost alternatives to traditional grass that will accomplish your needs.

Numerous types of plants can be used on the lawn to replace traditional grass. These may come in the form of groundcovers, fescue and ornamental grasses, flowers, herbs, and vegetables. Depending on the type you choose, many of these are tolerant to drought and hold up well against foot traffic. With groundcover plants, you can easily knock out the dreaded chore of mowing the grass. These low-growing plants spread easily in even the toughest sites, providing thick coverage that will eventually benefit the soil beneath. Groundcovers can also add appealing texture, with some varieties having seasonal blooms and colorful fall foliage. You can even choose a nitrogen-fixing groundcover, like clover, which acts as a soil conditioner. Ajuga is a creeping evergreen that works well in both sun and shade. Varieties with purple foliage are also available. If you have a shady site that doesn’t take grass well, put in some ivy. Soon you will have a lush carpet of green. Creeping Jenny is ordinarily an invasive weed in the yard; however, this plant will make a great groundcover to replace a lawn. This plant, with its yellow blooms amid coin-looking foliage, will brighten up shady areas and prefers moist soil. Don’t let the name put you off, dead nettle is actually an attractive groundcover with lovely variegated foliage and stunning spring blooms.

Both fescue and ornamental grasses provide another alternative to the traditional lawn. Fescue grasses are tolerant of everyday wear and tear and can thrive in a variety of locations. Tall fescues are coarser, drought tolerant, and provide a very low maintenance lawn for your home. Ornamental grasses are also low-maintenance plants that make great lawn alternatives. Since there are numerous types to choose from, finding one that meets your specific needs shouldn’t be a problem. Sticking to a variety which is native to your area will increase your chances of success, however. A native grass lawn requires little supplemental water once it’s established and doesn’t suffer from many pest or disease problems. Native grasses can be mown or left alone to create the appearance of a natural prairie. Blue Grama grass makes a great prairie-looking lawn.

Another option for your lawn includes the incorporation of flowers. These might consist of carefully placed beds within problem areas of the yard or stunning meadows covering the entire area. Flower beds can easily be created and can significantly lessen your mowing needs by reducing the amount of lawn you have. Wildflowers such as butterfly weed, asters, daisies, coneflowers, black-eyed Susan’s goldenrod, etc mixed in with prairie grasses like Indian or switchgrass will create a lovely meadow; however, check first to see if these varieties will thrive in your particular area. A meadow can add striking color and texture to your landscape while providing a low maintenance solution to the traditional grass-covered lawn. If a meadow is not for you, perhaps you would like to implement a vegetable garden instead. Whether it comes in the form of a huge plot or several small beds, a vegetable garden not only replaces areas of lawn but produces mouth-watering food for your family’s enjoyment. You can even mix in some flowers and herbs as well. Want to add a delightful fragrance? Try herbs as a lawn alternative. There are many easy-care varieties available, including those which hold up well to foot traffic. In fact, walking through these aromatic plants will actually trigger their pleasant scents. Popular choices include thyme, chamomile, and penny royal. Another interesting way to cover the lawn and add color is with bulbs. This works great for problem areas which are difficult to mow. Simply take handfuls of selected bulbs and gently toss them into the site. Plant the bulbs where they landed for a naturalized appearance.

Lawn alternatives don’t have to be limited to plants. Hard surfaces such as stones, gravels, or pebbles can be just a s effective. All of these provide interesting texture and are available in a variety of colors and sizes that will fit into any landscape design. They are also easy put in and relatively inexpensive, depending on what you choose and how you use it. Stone surfaces complement most surroundings, can be mixed with other hard surface varieties, and can even serve as mulch for plants. In fact, there are numerous plants that thrive in these types of environments. For instance, yuccas, cacti, and succulents look right at home in a graveled landscape. Lady’s mantle, blue-eyed grass, thyme, sedge, and stone crop are also tolerant of this type of mulching. Recreate a beach scene in your own front yard without living on the coast. Throw down a layer of pebbles and mix in some seashells. Add a few pieces of driftwood and some seaside plantings. Stones are often common elements within Japanese gardens. Many types are used in place of water to mimic its appearance. For example, you can easily create a winding path with varying sizes of blue slate through a field of flowers to imitate a flowing stream. Stepping stones are also popular and can greatly reduce the amount of lawn in your yard. They are easy to make and actually quite fun.

Nearly any type of lawn can be replaced with an array of alternatives that will not only fit your personal needs and preferences but add color, texture, and interest to your landscape as well.