A well-kept green lawn gives a garden a fresh feel, doesn't it? Many gardeners love and care for their lawns. But this can be tedious and time-consuming. It costs money and takes time. A lot of water is also needed for lawn watering. And when it gets hot and dry in the summer, you really struggle with water consumption. What to do? You can consider a lawn replacement in drought conditions and still enjoy green and lush areas by using appropriate hard-wearing alternatives to lawns and selecting drought-resistant plants. What options are there, read on as we show the most popular options!
Drought-resistant ground cover as a lawn replacement
Ground cover plants do not need to be mowed. They spread on the ground but do not grow tall and are the perfect alternative to lawns. Therefore, you can choose easy-care plants that spread quickly, suppress weeds and look beautiful. Here we show you some alternatives to lawns. There are a variety of options.
In hot, dry climates you can find fast-growing,drought tolerant plantsplant like lantana or sedum. They require little water once established and no water during the fall and winter months.
If you choose an ornamental plant as a lawn alternative, be sure to choose a variety that is suitable for your area - a cool-season grass for northern regions and a warm-season grass for southern climates. Native grasses are always a good choice because they are already adapted to your climate and generally require the least amount of maintenance.
Do you have a shady area in the garden? No problem. You can use woodruff and lily of the valley as a lawn replacement for shady locations, as they thrive well in shady gardens where they grow into dense canopies of leaves and flowers. Best of all, shade-loving ground covers have low moisture requirements, so they can significantly reduce water use. We'll show you other alternatives to lawns in dry conditions below.
Corsican mint is drought tolerant
You may have heard that mint spreads like crazy - but Corsican mint is considered a docile creeper. It is a popular choice for lawns that do not require mowing. This fragrant garden herb smells good and is also an excellent alternative to flowering grasses. The small, round green leaves provide a lush background for the tiny purple flowers. Corsican mint (Mentha requienii) grows tightly together, forming a smooth surface that resembles a traditional lawn. It is drought-resistant and thrives without fertilization.
Use creeping thyme as a lawn replacement
Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is an excellent lawn substitute. It requires less water, is generally hardy and drought tolerant, and spreads easily to fill most of the area you want. It is a matter ofa fragrant herb, which attracts pollinators. If you want to transform your garden into a carpet of color in late spring, grow creeping thyme. The plant likes full to partial sun and well-drained, sandy or stony, nutrient-poor soil. Expect moderate walkability.
Evergreen moss thrives in shady locations
One advantage of moss is that it stays green all year round and thrives in the shade. Moss is not picky about soil quality. It is a low-maintenance alternative to lawns that do not require much work and effort once planted. Moss as a lawn replacement does not need to be mowed, weeded, watered or fertilized.
Some varieties spread into a dense, flat carpet and offer a variety of green tones, from golden, pale green shades to beautiful, deep emerald green hues. Because moss is short, less than 10 cm, and does not need to be mowed. This not only saves time, but is also more sustainable - no consumption of fossil fuels and no air and noise pollution from a lawnmower. Moss can grow even in poor soil, so no fertilizer is needed to keep it healthy.
Carpet verbena is a robust lawn substitute
Carpet verbena (Phyla nodiflora) is often grown as a ground cover and is often found in gardens or disturbed areas. The inflorescence consists of a purple center surrounded by small white-pink flowers. The plant is suitable as a lawn replacement or for pots. It is a robust and fast-growing plant. In addition, carpet verbena is wear-resistant as a lawn replacement,evergreen andeasy-careand only grows to about 3 to 4 cm high. What's better than a walk-on, low-maintenance lawn replacement? Choose this delicate plant and you will be satisfied.
Microclover is a low-maintenance alternative to lawns
Microclover is an inexpensive, low-mown plant. Clover as a lawn replacement is a good option because it provides an environmentally friendly solution for lawns that struggle with drought. Although clover is drought tolerant, it cannot tolerate too much dry heat. You don't have to fertilize or aerate a clover lawn, which significantly reduces maintenance costs. Clover is a member of the legume family that fixes nitrogen and produces nitrogen itself, so no additional fertilizer is needed to keep your lawn green.
