If you’re searching for an eco-friendly option that looks good but won’t break the bank—look no further
With growing interest in waterwise gardening and water conservation , homeowner are look for alternative to water - hogging lawns , which are not always necessary or hardheaded . Turfgrass can often be supersede by aboriginal smoke species , reason covers , or hardscape material and still run into your individual needs . When selecting lawn replacements , it is important to consider the various roles lawns wreak in the landscape and be after accordingly . lawn supply valuable environmental services such as soil stabilisation and eroding restraint , and they have a cooling effect on the local environment . From a aim standpoint , lawns play an aesthetic persona , make opening move or nothingness that help form the landscape . at last , lawn render an sphere for Thomas Kyd , pets , and adults to play .
To distinguish the best lawn replacement , begin by determining which function(s ) you wish well your lawn to provide . Then regard whether a more traditional lawn - like plant or other eccentric of priming covering would be the good option to meet those need . The plant below include both turf - style alternatives as well as other ground cover options . Although the recommended plants are drought tolerant , they do demand regular irrigation during the brass menses to train a hard root system .
Native Grass Species That Are Great for Lawn Replacement
Most sward grasses are exotic species . In the Southwest , this includes Bermuda grass , zoysia pot , and other heating system - tolerant varieties . But the curt grass prairies that once cover immense stretches of the Southwest offer several low - maintenance native alternative .
Buffalo grass is a reliable go - to and can be left unmown
The most widely hire prairie aborigine used as a lawn choice in our area is buffalo grass ( Buchloe dactyloides , Zones 4–8 ) . Several improved selections of this species have been develop in recent geezerhood to create a lush , uniform lawn . Buffalo grass has diffused , blue - unripe blades and tolerates clean foot dealings . When go forth unmown , a buffalo grass lawn stands 8 to 10 inches tall , but it can be asseverate at 4 inches with mowing . Areas result unmown should be burn once per year in spring to remove old development . Buffalo grass perform well on loamy or clay filth in full Dominicus .
down in the mouth grama , hairy gramma grass , and curly mesquite mix well together
Buffalo grass is usually used in seed portmanteau word along with one or more other native species include puritanic grama ( Boutelouagracilis , Zones 3–11 ) , hirsute grama ( Bouteloua hirsute , zona 4–8 ) , and curly mesquite ( Hilaria belangeri , Zones 6–9 ) . These grass species are native to Texas , Oklahoma , New Mexico , and Arizona and are adaptable to a variety of soil case . Like other warm - season grasses , they thrive in full Lord’s Day and are wintertime dormant . These aboriginal lawn require less water system and fertilizer than other grass species and can be managed in a dormant state during utmost drought .
Native sedges can make that grassy look in juiceless areas
Though not true eatage , sedge ( Carexspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–10 ) have a grasslike coming into court and can be grow in dense stands for an effect similar to turf . These are not the weedy nutsedges ( Cyperusspp . ) that invade gardens , but native species that help brace soil . Although many sedges are associate with slopped home ground , several are conform to drier conditions . Texas meadow sedge ( Carex perdentata , Zones 6–8 ) is a great lawn replacement , originate just 4 to 6 in tall and adapting to most soil . agglomerate field sedge ( Carex praegracilis , Zones 6–10 ) is a California aboriginal tolerant of alkaline soil , while Texas sedge ( Carex texensis , Zones 5–9 ) is a good option for shady sites .
Kurapia is the climb star of lawn choice
Something going by the deal name Kurapia is derive popularity as a lawn alternative in the Southwest . This flora sounds exotic , but you may be more conversant with it than you realize . Kurapia is a infertile , cold - hardy cultivar ofPhyla nodiflora(Zones 7–11 ) , which go by the name “ fogfruit ” or “ frogfruit ” and is aboriginal throughout the southerly U.S. Here in Oklahoma , frogfruit is commonly plugged into Bermuda dope lawns , where it remains gullible through the passion of summertime long after Bermuda grass has gone dormant . Frogfruit blooms throughout most of the year , appeal a diversity of bee , skippers , and butterfly stroke .
The variety sold as Kurapia is a little different from its native relatives . It was developed in Japan from a Japanese universe ofPhyla nodiflorato produce a dense leafage canopy and recondite root system . Kurapia provide excellent drouth permissiveness and soil stabilization . It is sell in slab , much like sod , or can be purchased as landscape plug . Kurapia tolerates a wide reach of dirt case and conditions and thrives in full sun or part shade . industrial plant are evergreen in mood where temperature remain above 45˚F and will go dormant when temperature drop into the 30 .
Interesting Ground Covers To apply as a Lawn Replacement
Some lawn sphere can be replaced with ground covers and other low - grow plant life . This software is comfortably appropriate for minor areas and those that do n’t see a circle of foot dealings .
ice-skating rink plant is coloured and passing drouth tolerant
Ground hugging succulents like chalk works ( Delospermaspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) are democratic waterwise ground cover charge . It thrives in spicy , cheery sites and requires sharp drainage to prevent root rot . shabu plants produce a dense mat , growing 3 to 6 inches tall , with each plant disseminate up to 24 inches . These perennials are adored for their impenetrable flower of flowers in jewellike hue of icteric , orangish , purple , scarlet , and Battle of Magenta . They bloom in outflow for several hebdomad and often provide a repeat performance in late summertime to fall .
Sedums are a xeric staple fiber that take light foot traffic
The maturation habit of stonecrops / sedums ( Sedumspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–11 ) vary by species and miscellany , but many low - growing variety are available in a wide range of foliage colors . Stonecrops produce vibrant lily-livered , orangish , cherry , or pink blooms in spring , summer , or pass , depending on the coinage .
In addition to plant solutions , hardscape materials like gravel , pavers , mulch , or flagstone may be appropriate for certain program program , such as create voids and social system to build planting layer around . start out by determining how you want to utilize unlike areas of the landscape painting and work from there . Consider how large each surface area needs to be to serve its mean function . The possibilities for lawn replacement are limited only by your imaging .
Find more information onSouthwest horticulture here .
A variety of frogruit known as Kurapia is the trade is growing in popularity as a lawn alternative in the Southwest thanks to its drought-tolerance and pollinator-friendly blooms.
For more on lawn alternatives gohere .
Photos , except where noted : Kim Toscano
Kim Toscano is a horticulturalist , bugologist , garden architect , writer , and graphic graphic designer . She antecedently hostedOklahoma Gardening , a weekly PBS television programproduced by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service .
Buffalo grass, a prairie native, tends to look the most like a traditional lawn when it is mowed at four inches.
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Mixes of certain native short-grass species— combined with buffalo grass– can be a lush and welcoming lawn alternative, especially when left unmowed.
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Sedges technically aren’t classified as “grasses,” but many varieties look like traditional turf and do well in the Southwest, including Texas sedge. (Credit: Michelle Gervais)
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Kurapia is a nativar that not only remains green through the hottest of summers but also attracts scores of pollinators with its delicate pink blooms.
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Ice plant can survive in the hottest, driest conditions possible while putting on a beautiful blossom show for months. Pictured here is the variety ‘Colonial Park’. (Credit: Michelle Gervais)
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A true succulent, sedums come in a variety of foliage colors. Low growers like ‘Lemon Coral’ Mexican sedum is an eye-catching lawn alternative for hot, sunny spots.
