{"id":3937,"date":"2015-11-06T07:50:53","date_gmt":"2015-11-06T12:50:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.surroundslandscaping.com\/?p=3937"},"modified":"2024-06-28T21:47:47","modified_gmt":"2024-06-28T21:47:47","slug":"low-maintenance-lawn-grass-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.surroundslandscaping.com\/low-maintenance-lawn-grass-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Low Maintenance Lawn Grass Alternatives"},"content":{"rendered":"
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PHOTO: Creative Commons by Kevin Garden<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Un-Lawn: Groundcovers<\/h2>\n

Unlike some regions of the nation, the Northern Virginia area has no shortage of water resources and seasonal rainfall. So here, lawns actually make sense. It doesn\u2019t require heroic acts of irrigation, fertilization and herbicide application to maintain a nice lawn. But what if you would like to create more variety in your landscape, to reduce or eliminate the need for mowing and other sorts of maintenance<\/a> required by lawn grasses? We have some options for you. In a word: groundcovers.<\/p>\n

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1 Sedge<\/h3>\n
\"Carex-mop
Mop-headed sedge. PHOTO: courtesy Hoffman Nurseries<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sedges are grass-like plants that grow in clumps. Sedges come in many sizes, colors and textures, and do well in different kinds of soils and climate zones. If you prefer\u00a0a \u201clawn-like\u201d look, you can mow it a few times a year, or just let grow long for a more natural, meadow-like look. It is tough enough to handle occasional light foot traffic.<\/p>\n

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2 Moss<\/h3>\n
\"groundcover-peacock
Peacock spikemoss. PHOTO: courtesy Saunders Brothers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A moss lawn is perfect for moist, shady areas with acidic soil. Because moss grows low to the ground it never needs mowing. Once established, moss needs no fertilizer and little water. It is delicate, though, and will not tolerate heavy foot traffic. Moss looks beautiful as the setting for a flagstone walkway.<\/p>\n

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3 Clover<\/h3>\n
\"Clover
Clover lawn grass alternative. PHOTO: Creative Commons by Jooltman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clover is tough. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and needs no fertilizer. It grows well in a wide range of soil types. Clover\u00a0is also a bee-friendly garden plant.<\/p>\n

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4 Mondo Grass<\/h3>\n
\"Mondo
Mondo Grass in bloom. PHOTO: Creative Commons by Kathleen Phillips<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This\u00a0evergreen ground cover is a perfect way to achieve a no-grass lawn. Regular mondo grass grows up to six inches tall. Dwarf mondo grass grows two inches tall\u2014which means it never needs mowing. If you choose regular mondo grass, one mowing in late winter each year will keep it full and healthy. It stands up very well to foot traffic.<\/p>\n

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5 Lilyturf (aka Liriope)<\/h3>\n
\"lily
Lilyturf. PHOTO: Creative Commons by Denver Botanical Garden<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This evergreen ground cover features dark green strappy leaves. Similar in appearance to mondo grass, it has leaves that are just a bit wider and grows to a height of twelve inches tall. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and grows in sun to light shade. Although lilyturf is drought tolerant once established, it does best with some consistent irrigation.<\/p>\n

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Where\u00a0to replace lawn grass with ground covers<\/h3>\n

Lawn areas play a role in landscape design<\/a>. Obviously, lawns\u00a0provide play spaces for kids and pets, and they can serve as green corridors through landscapes. Aesthetically, lawns provide visual simplicity in a complex landscape, offering places for the eye to rest.<\/p>\n

However, if you feel you have more lawn than you need or are using, here are some places you could look to incorporate lawn grass alternatives into your landscape. Replace lawns grasses where they:<\/p>\n