Great Lawn Substitutes!

BeGREEN-Here’s a question I get a lot, “Rickie, what I can grow instead of lawn, that’s (1) green, (2) doesn’t need mowing, (3) drought tolerant, (4) walkable and (5) under 8 inches high? 

And I answer, you’re in luck!  Among the candidates, here are some hardy ones to consider.  All of these grow well in most of southern California. 

California Meadow Sedge – Carex Pansa

There are many sedge grasses out there.  Ask for one called Carex Pansa.  It’s a California native. California native plants have had thousands of years to adjust to our climate, so they tend to be very drought tolerant.  According to the LA Times, Carex Pansa needs 50% to 70% less water than most lawn grasses. 

Once established in your garden, Carex Pansa requires almost no maintenance.  You can mow it, weed wack it or leave it in soft mounds, as you prefer.  And you, your kids and your animals can walk on it.    

Each Carex Pansa plant can grow to about 6 inches high and can spread to 2 feet or more.  It likes full sun or light shade. 

A great accent plant, Carex Pansa can also be used as a lawn substitute if plants are left to spread to one another’s edges. 

Silver Carpet Dymondia

Dymondia is fast becoming everyone’s darling.  Why?  It needs little water. It likes both sun and light shade.  It tolerates foot traffic. It resists weeds. It hugs the ground. So you never, ever have to mow it!  

The top of its 2-3 inch leaves are green with grayish white on the bottom side. From a distance it looks grayish green. And it’s scattered with little yellow flowers in the summer.  

Use it as a lawn substitute, for your parkway or between pavers.  If you don’t spot it in your neighborhood, you can see large square areas of it on the north side of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art campus in the Wilshire Miracle Mile. 

Yarrow Achillea Millefolium, aka California Yarrow

There are many types of yarrow.  This type thrives in many environments.  It grows in alkaline soil, sand, and even clay.  Unlike some other yarrows, this one accepts both drought and seasonal flooding.  It welcomes people, dogs and even deer walking on it.  The seasonal white flowers attract butterflies.  The leaves are green and fern-like.  Under stress, it might lose its color, but will green up again.   You don’t have to mow it, though you might choose to mow down the flowers after they are done blooming. 

Tip: Some yarrows grow several feet high.  For a lawn substitute, be sure to tell your nursery person you wish a yarrow type that grows no higher than 8 inches.  ‘King Edward Yarrow’ Lewisii’ is one that grows to 4 - 6 inches.  It’s recommended as a lawn alternative by no less than the City of Santa Monica’s Office of Sustainability and the Environment. 

You can find these plants at Armstrong Nurseries and Theodore Payne Foundation. Dymondia may also now be available at Lowe’s and Home Depot. 

Remember that even drought tolerant plants need regular moisture in order for their roots to get used to your garden.  You should cut back on water as soon as they settle in.  And you will Save Money, Save Water and Look Good Doing It!

 

(Rickie Avrutin is a sustainable garden consultant, a smart garden columnist and the Executive Director at Green Rosette.  She can be reached at [email protected])  

 

CityWatch

Issue 13     Pub: 52

June 26, 2015