GRASS REPLACEMENTS
Looking for easy-to grow alternatives to traditional lawn grass? A few alternatives:
CREEPING WIRE VINE
(Muehlenbeckia axillaria nana)
Tiny, dark, glossy green leaves turn bronze as spring moves into summer. The plant produces a unique transparent fruit form with little tiny black eyes on wire-like stems which run on top and underneath the soil. Foliage turns more bronze with heat or cold. This plant tolerates drought, wind, and poor soil. Perfect in a dry path, but will adapt to a garden setting as well. Needs excellent drainage to be content. Prefers partial shade to sun (all day). Height/Min. Temp: 2”/-10°F
DOUBLE BIRD’S FOOT TREFOIL
(Lotus corniculatus plenus)
Dark green, tiny leaves form a dense, tight mat underground as well as above. Plants are completely covered by orange buds, which open to double yellow flowers in late spring. Excellent on a small slope as a mulch replacement surrounding flowering shrubs or taller perennials. Works well over flower bulbs and around other perennials. Prefers partial sun to Sun (all day). Height/ Min. Temp: 4”/-40°F
BLUETS
(Houstonia caerulea)
A beautiful perennial wildflower native to North America, this plant thrives in humus-rich, moist soil. Use in the front of a border, in a woodland setting, or as an under story plant with azaleas and rhododendrons. Prefers shade to partial sun. Height/Min. Temp: 3”/-30°F
BRONZE DUTCH CLOVER
(Trifolium repensatropurpureum)
This creeping perennial has reddish-bronze leaves edged in green. White pom-pom flowers adorn the top in summer. It will drape over a retaining wall or edge a pond. Prefers partial shade and some afternoon sun. Height/Min. Temp: 2”-4”/ -30°F
PURPLE NEW ZEALAND BUR
(Aceana inermis purpurea)
This creeper makes a perfect carpet of ruby-red in full sun, amethyst in shade. Creamy flower heads appear in summer and can attach themselves to clothing. Cut off if undesirable. Prefers partial shade and some afternoon sun. Height/Min. Temp: 1-4”/-10°F
VARIEGATED STONE-CROP
(Sedum kamatchiaticum variegata)
Foliage on this plant has serrated green leaves edged in white, yellow, and sometimes orange and pink, The flowers are a deep yellow that fade to small orange stars in late summer. Plants are drought tolerant. Prefers partial sun to all day sun. Height: 3-6”
TINY RUBIES
(Dianthus gratianopolotanus)
This plant forms a tight mound of blue-green foliage. Pink and purple blossoms in the shape of stars bloom late in the spring. A great plant for borders or around shrubs, it also thrives in a container or rock garden. Highly drought tolerant, it prefers afternoon to all day sun. Height/ Min. Temp: 3-6”/ -40°F
Note: Plant descriptions courtesy of Paul Tukey.
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03.2011
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