It’s made from mowing-tolerant flowering ground cover plants rather than grass. Alternatives to Grass; Our Top 10 Ground Covers! But just because lots of people use it on their property doesn’t mean it’s your best option. Groundcovers don't just provide color and interest in winter; they can also help control erosion and suppress weeds that try to sprout when the weather warms up. Dwarf mondo grass provides a sort of natural carpet beneath this bench. If a lush, green yard is out of reach, consider one of several ground cover alternatives that are easier to maintain - and add a unique touch. With dense dark green blades, drought-resistant and evergreen dwarf mondo grass grows only 2 to 4 inches tall, in both sun and shade. This is a great alternative to grass that also makes for the most charming front yard on the block! If it’s in an area where there’s lots of rainfall, you might not even need to water them at all. Ground Cover Care. Here are a few of our favorite grass alternatives: Groundcovers to Consider. GROUNDCOVER INFO SHEET Alternatives to Grass Lawns Page 6 of 6 guelph.ca/healthylandscapes CITY OF GUELPH GROUND COVERS AS AN No Mow Alternative to Grass – … They created a small “lawn” area with a green ground cover, and then planted the rest of the yard liberally with drought resistant plants. Even the foliage comes in a variety of colors, including blue, gold, gray, and burgundy. Create an eco friendly garden with these "green" alternatives to grass lawns. Mass these ground covers for a one-of-a-kind look Lilyturf ( Liriope spp.) This powerhouse groundcover is in high demand by landscapers that have seen it. Unlike traditional grass, this form requires little watering and has plenty of texture, making it an Oregano Grass A type of ground cover, oregano grass comes in multiple forms, though Greek or golden oregano grass is preferred. Fortunately, many groundcover alternatives to grass are easy to install and maintain. The great thing about ground covers is that they require occasional watering. Examples of Ground Covers with Texture. He found it … Use ground covers, clovers and perennials to save water in your garden today! These low-growing plants spread easily in even the toughest sites, providing thick coverage that will eventually benefit the soil beneath. April 4, 2018. It is the ideal lawn alternative that everyone has been asking for. Sedums only grow to be a few inches tall. spreads to form a lush, grass-like cover, but it’s too lumpy to walk across. Lionel Smith researched this new type of lawn at the University of Reading. Watering and Fertilization. Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum, a mat-forming woolly thyme) is rugged enough to walk on and releases a pleasant scent when crushed. for some reason you just can't seem to get the grass to grow at all. Dry gardens made of any combination of stone chips, pea gravel, ornamental grasses or succulents can make for a unique and attractive alternative to grass or tarmac. So if you’re ready to turn your resource-stealing suburban savannah into a low-maintenance oasis filled with color, texture, and fragrance, consider planting one of these five grass alternatives: 1. For texture opt for these: Monkey grass (pictured) Sprengeri Fern; Yarrow; Varigated Vinca; Also there are colorful varieties by their foliage. Use it in out-of-the-way areas and on steep banks. However, these sun-loving plants boast small, colorful blossoms that attract birds and beneficial insects. With ground cover plants, you can easily knock out the dreaded chore of mowing the grass. Plant Alternatives to Grass Ground Covers. or . There are plenty of alternatives that can add unique colors and textures to your yard, which isn’t possible with even the most well-manicured turf. If a lush, green yard is out of reach, consider one of several ground cover alternatives that are easier to maintain - and add a unique touch. Not only is it beautiful, vibrant, very drought-tolerant, resistant to frost, easy to grow and even easier to maintain; it is also able to handle foot traffic. No Traffic Variety Position Maintenance requirements Size of area suitable By Linda Ly Americans have a love affair with sprawling green lawns. Growing and maintaining your grass can be frustrating. Whether its having to maintain a large area where the grass seems to grow an inch every time you turn around . The many benefits of lawn alternatives. Suggestions for alternatives to grass, depending on the space's size, position, likely traffic and maintenance needs.