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