Does your lawn make you yawn? Try spicing it up with some of these beautiful, easy to grow groundcovers.
Why you should ditch your lawn
First, a brief history lesson on lawns. According to research from The Lawn Institute, when we examine the past we see how flat open grassland was highly beneficial to our ancestors who needed a clear view of the horizon and advancing threats.
But nowadays lawns are just the norm. They serve as a status symbol as usually the most well-to-do can afford to keep a lush emerald green landscape year-round. Ask anyone who lives in a drought prone area how difficult (and costly!) it is to fight dry weather with sprinklers. When faced with the costs and complications of lawn ownership we have plenty of “solutions” that somehow end up worse than the problem. Some folks are so committed to the lawn endeavor that they have turf imported in. Filling in your balding yard with add in might be good for some, but there are easier, more eco-friendly ways to accentuate your terrain.
Pennsylvania Sedge
Ornamental grasses, quick spreading perennials, and other attractive groundcovers are great for breaking up the dull emptiness of our landscapes and making it something both personal and practical.
SunSparkler™ Dazzleberry Sedum
Groundcovers, or plants that spread horizontally rather than vertically, serve as excellent alternatives to basic grass. These kinds of plants such as Veronica, and Sedum, are a breeze to maintain and grow so low they won’t obstruct the natural view. In fact, you’ll find that they greatly enhance the view with their lush foliage and striking flowers. Besides their easy nature, groundcovers also have the added benefit of choking out potential weeds, a bane to lawn owners everywhere. Many groundcovers are also “steppable” and can endure some foot traffic just like your regular grass.
You can also try going the opposite direction and explore the sparse yet poetic beauty of rock gardens. These gardens have been implemented since ancient times and are perfect for busy professionals who want a sophisticated outdoor display minus the high energy costs tag.
In parting we’ll leave you with this. If you love your lawn and see it as not only a shiny green stage for your house but a gathering place, an open field for tag football, water gun fights and picnics, by all means keep your landscape as is with our blessing. However, should you ever want to change things up, you can rest assured that your options are vast and the possibilities limitless.