A swathe of perfectly mown grass has always been a traditional feature of the garden. But there are environmental reasons why we may want to consider whether a lawn is the best option. A gas mower is reckoned to produce more pollution than many vehicles and green grass usually requires copious amounts of water. If these facts concern you then read this article by Curtis Adams which I found on the Houzz website.
Lawns have their place in the American landscape. They are visually uncomplicated and easy on the eyes. As play surfaces, most turfgrass types are able to take some abuse and are relatively easy on the abusers. But it is safe to say we have way more lawn than is needed, considering all the other options available; many of those options are better for the environment and less expensive to maintain.Clustered field sedge (Carex praegracilis) is native to North America.
There are many uses for ground covers in the landscape. They are often used to provide a visual frame around a house, something attractive but that doesn?t distract from the main architectural or landscape features. They can also be used to cover a play area or an entertaining space or to line a walkway. On a smaller scale, they fill the spaces between other larger plants or features in the garden. On a larger scale, they fill the space between windows and the long views across a property to the neighbors and beyond.
In choosing how to cover your ground layer, consider making it as sustainable as possible by choosing locally sourced materials and plants that are well-adapted to the site conditions ? soil type, available moisture, sun exposure and fertility.
Limit runoff from the property by using as many water-permeable surfaces as possible, grading the surface to enhance water infiltration and including rain gardens or dry wells. In areas where there are ordinances restricting what you can do with your front yard, you will need to work within those, or coordinate with local authorities to show them how your ideas will work.Creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra) is a cool-season grass native to North America that has a silky appearance when left unmown.
Alternative Grasses
While they can?t take the foot traffic of a conventional lawn, a number of no- or low-mow grass blends and native grasses can be used to provide a similar visual appearance. In the northern half of the U.S., there are a number of fine fescue blends that look good without being mowed. They also need less fertilizer and water. In the southern and central parts of North America, buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides) is a native grass that has been developed for turf use. St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a popular turfgrass that?s native to the coastal regions of the Southeast.A lawn of sand dune sedge (Carex pansa), native to the Pacific Coast of North America, fills a San Francisco Bay Area garden.
In the U.S. West, there are several native grasses that perform well as lawns, including seashore bentgrass (Agrostis pallens) and blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), native to the Great Plains and the Southwest. Throughout North America there are sedges that can be used as alternatives to conventional lawn grasses; however, these tend to be more sensitive to foot traffic.
See more at Houzz
Feature photo:Couture-Homes
