Use These Ground Covers as Lawn Substitutes

Spreading plants provide a living mulch that helps to improve soil and reduce maintenance

I call back garden seem well when the ground is covered with either lush growth or an appropriate born mulch to cover destitute soil . Full reportage of the land has the added benefits ofsuppressing unwanted weedsand retaining soil wet . I have learned over the years that there are many agency to achieve these goals . Water is becoming a resourcefulness that is more cherished and at time modified . Perhaps we should look past traditional , high-pitched - maintenance lawn to substitute plants that encompass ground . These plant make greatlawn substitutes , but they also shape in bare spots of the garden as living mulches .

I have always been a proponent of plant thick and inmasses . That is not the same matter as overplanting or engraft too closely . Plants used as a living mulch or lawn relief demand a tighter spacing , often 8 to 12 column inch apart , so they may originate together cursorily to make a soft and thick carpeting . Some are quite short and may only need idle prime shear off ; others can just be left alone . Still others can be pout periodically . Here are a few of my favorites , each with its own unique character .

Sedges are the perfect grass substitute

When bet for a grassy ground cover , sedges(Carexspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–10 ) are the best solution in many post . My favorite is Pennsylvania sedge ( Carexpensylvanica , Zones 3–8 ) . aboriginal to many parts of the Midwest , it ’s commonly found in fond to full shade woodlands , forest clarification , and savannahs . Growing to a height of 8 to 12 inches , it can be cut down up to twice a year if used as a lawn relief , but I suggest leaving it alone so you could enjoy the cascade leaves . endearing as a filler under Tree or heavy shrubs , the foliage is semi - evergreen with a delicatetexture . This sedge favor shade ; it will grow in full sun if it has tolerable water supply , but it will not perform its expert .

If you ’re looking for a motley sedge , ‘ Silver Sceptre ’ sedge ( Carex‘Silver verge ’ , Zones 5–9 ) is an option that will provide a little brightness to the garden . This sedge is quite nice as a reason cover under darker - give bush or as a lawn in the shade where typical turfgrass has no chance to survive . I like to aim these plants about 12 to 15 column inch aside in moist , well - drained stain .

Creeping thyme creates a dense mat of fragrant foliage

Small , red-hot , and cheery spaces can be specially challenging for creating a lawn . If we look to herb , creeping thyme(Thymusspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) do a great ground cover . In special , blood-red creep thyme ( Thymuspraecox‘Coccineus ’ , Zones 5–9 ) is up to the challenge . Native to the Mediterranean neighborhood , it thrive in spicy and teetotal condition and median , well - drained land . It shape a dense 2- to 4 - inch - tall mat of dark evergreen plant leaves that you may take the air on . This leaf becomes covered in flowers that can range from purpleness to pink to red and that bloom from spring through summer solstice . The leaves then ferment bronze in the downfall . Shear the drop salad days back to keep the appearance neat and respectable , or leave them alone for a more tough tone .

These farewell arefragrantwhen crushed , so walking on thyme creates an fragrance whenever you cross its path . Dividing is not necessary , but you may want to thin out the carpet if it begins to spread beyond its desire bounds . Thyme can be planted as a jade or quart - sizing plant with individuals about 12 in asunder , or nigher if you desire to achieve full coverage quicker . For more diversity , consider adding blanched crawl thyme ( Thymus praecox‘Albiflorus ’ , Zones 4–9 ) , which has white efflorescence , or silver edge thyme ( Thymus vulgaris‘Argenteus ’ , Zones 5–8 ) , which has variegate foliage and light pinkish flowers . All require average soil and low to average out tearing once base .

Barren strawberry makes a carpet of blooming foliage that stays short

Barren strawberry ( Waldsteinia ternata , Zones 4–8 ) is an underappreciated ground cover . While it ’s not that commonly used , I have personally been enamored with it since I commence my vocation . Growing with the same habit as the well - known edible hemangioma simplex , barren strawberry mark is address with five - petaled yellow flowers fromMaytoJune . A heavy mess of this plant in bloom has been live to discontinue the neighbors in their tracks , causing them to ring the buzzer to ask its name . Growing 4 to 6 inch tall and on occasion setting small-scale uneatable Chuck Berry , it forms a dense carpet of leafage . circulate by short open rhizomes , it will fill a distance slowly . As a solvent , I suggest planting these as plugs or quart - size plants and space them 12 inches apart in club to get the best coverage within two season . The leaves become a deep bronze in the fall , hanging on throughout the wintertime in areas as cold as Zone 4 . The old leave of absence are push off by the go forth new maturation in the spring . This is a walkable ground screening , utile under other plants or as a little lawn .

Using these plants as a living mulch or a lawn backup enables us to minimize the amount of chemicals , fuel , and other resources used to sustain our landscapes as well as to hold open costs in the long running play . For more primer - screen options to apply as lawn alternatives , check out :

— Marti Neely , FAPLD , own and operates Marti Neely Design and Associates in Omaha , Nebraska .

all right Gardening recommend Products

Spear & Jackson 4930FZ Razorsharp Telescopic Tree Pruner

Fine horticulture receives a deputation for items buy through links on this site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising program .

isYoung Birdlook ® Smart Bird Feeder with Camera

draw Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden , Revised and Updated Second Edition : A Natural Approach to Pest Control

Get our late tips , how - to articles , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .

Signing you up …

Creeping Plants for Sunny Spots in the Northern Plains

27 Better Ground Covers for Shade to Replace Problematic Plants

Shade Perennials for Weed Suppression

Use Gorgeous Ground Covers as a Living Mulch

link Fine horticulture for a free engaging live webinar feature Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned plant pathologist as well as prof emerita at Purdue University and the ornamental technical handler …

When I spotted a particular sand dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few month ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delicious people of colour pattern …

When we only prioritise plant we want over plant our landscape painting needs , each season is filled with a never - ending list of chores : pruning , lift , watering , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be thrifty when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to spark off on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a couplet …

4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden

Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill

Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage

4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard

All Access member get more

contract up for afree trialand get access to ALL our regional content , plus the rest of the member - only content library .

set about Free Trial

Get complete situation approach to expert advice , regional content , and more , plus the print clip .

Start your loose trial

Already a member?enter

lawn substitute

Choose a native ground cover like Pennsylvania sedge to replace nonnative lawn grasses for a low-maintenance, environmentally friendly yard.Photo: Marti Neely

Silver Sceptre sedge