Lawn Alternatives

Escape the mundane uniformity of an artificial vegetative mat and enjoy some of the visual and aromatic delights the natural world has on offer!

Less maintenance

Mowing, edging, fertilising and weeding of a lawn requires more time and maintenance than well chosen ground covers or garden beds / pavers.

A well selected group of ground covers are less prone to pest attack and diseases than a single lawn species.

Less water

A mulched garden bed with well chosen plants requires less water to look good year round than even the toughest lawn species.

Increase biodiversity

Larger garden beds allow for tiered plantings of increasing heights, which in turn creates a greater sense of depth and space to a garden.

Attract native wildlife into your garden with many butterfly, bird and insect attracting varieties available.

Reasons you may not need a lawn at all

• Shady dry areas under trees

• Areas unlikely to be walked over

• Small or awkward areas

• Areas with significant slopes

Lawn Alternatives

If you like the open feel of a lawn but don't want the maintenance or water requirements. Consider the following options...

No Traffic

No traffic open spaces allow for some of the greatest flexibility in style and plant choices. Areas that are traditionally difficult to establish lawn perform well with many alternatives. Regions such as under large trees of near eves can be given a new lease of life with the addition of low water and light requiring lawn alternatives.

Light Traffic

In areas of light traffic it is necessary to choose plants that are tolerant of small levels of disturbance. Plants that are used should be flexible low lying. This will allow them to bounce back when trodden on. For Heavy Traffic use the same varieties as those for areas with light traffic, but with the addition of stepping stones.

Meadow "Lawn" areas

A mixture of grass, lilies, wildflowers and ground covers. Don't mow... often. To encourage flowering and growth of the meadow it is recommended that the area be cut twice a year using a brush cutter. The optimal times to cut the meadow is in early summer after spring flowering and late autumn. The cut material should then be removed and composted.

No Traffic
Variety	Position	Maintenance requirements	Size of area suitable	Weed Potential	Availability S = seed P= pot V = viro-cell T= turf
Marjoram		Medium	Medium	Low	S, P
Myoporum parvifolium		Low	Large	Low	P
Oregano		Medium	Medium	Low	S, P
Parthenocissus sikkimensis		Medium	Large	Low	P
Prostrate Grevilleas		Low	Large	Low	S, P
Prostrate Rosemary		Low	Medium	Low	P
Prostrate Sedum varieties		Low	Small	Low	P
Sutera		Low	Small	Low	P
Light Traffic
Variety	Position	Maintenance requirements	Size of area suitable	Weed Potential	Availability S = seed P= pot V = viro-cell T= turf
Convolvulus sabatius		Low	Medium	Low	P
Corsican mint		Medium	Small	Medium	P
Dwarf Mondo grass		Low	Medium	Low	P, V
Dianthus		Low	Small	Low	P
Dichondra		Medium	Medium	Low	S, P, V
Lawn Chamomile		Medium	Medium	Low	S, P
Penny Royal		Medium	Small	Low	S, P
Pratia / Isotoma		Medium	Small	Low	P
Prostrate pigface		Low	Large	Low	S, P
Sagina		Medium	Small	Low	P
Scleranthus		Medium	Small	Low	P
Thymus varieties		Low	Medium	Low	S, P
Viola hederacea		Medium	Medium	Low	S, P

Outer "fringe" grassed areas

These are areas of clumping grasses and can border a lawn area. Ideal for people with children and/or dogs.

Suitable species of "fringe" grasses

Festuca glauca
Deschampsia
Carex species
Poa species
Lomandra tinika

If You 'Must Have' A Lawn...

...try a native grass lawn. See our information page: Native Grass Lawns.

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