The right regional native plants
often include grasses and ferns, herba- ceous plants like flowering perennials and woody ones like shrubs, vines and trees. Native plants provide shelter and food for wildlife and help preserve a sense of place. “Work with a profes- sional landscaper in your area, ideally a member of the Association for Pro- fessional Landscape Designers,” advises Greenlee. Tap a local univer- sity extension service, master gardener and garden club for local expertise, often available at no or low cost via classes or club membership.
ECO YARDS
Turning Lawns into Native Landscapes
by Lisa Kivirist and John D. Ivanko “
American Meadow Garden, who notes that most monoculture turf lawns never even get used. His company, Greenlee and Asso- ciates, in Brisbane, California, designs residential and other meadows through- out the U.S. as an engaging alternative. Many other appealing options likewise use native plants appropriate to the local climate. For instance, replacing Kentucky bluegrass, Bermuda grass or another non-native species with natives can deliver drought resistance and lower irrigation needs; eliminate any need for fertilizers or toxic pesticides; reduce or eliminate labor-intensive and often polluting mowing and edging; enhance the beauty of a home; and attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
T 16 Austin Edition
raditional turf lawns are an ecological nightmare,” says John Greenlee, author of The
Before replacing
a lawn, determine the desired result. It may simply be achieving a low-maintenance, lawn-free yard; grow- ing food like vege- tables, herbs, fruit or nuts; or supplying ample flowers for a fresh weekly bouquet. Other benefits might include increasing privacy, dining al fresco, escaping into nature or even sequestering carbon dioxide to reduce climate change. To be successful, choices must be appropriate to the climate, plant hardi- ness zone, local zoning ordinances and homeowner association rules. Also consider the soil quality and acidity, moisture content and whether plantings will be in full sun or shade, or both.
AustinAwakenings.com
Four-Season Climates From the Midwest to New England, “Wild ginger makes a nice, low ground- cover with heart-shaped leaves in shade or part shade, where lawn grass often struggles,” suggests Pam Penick, of Austin, Texas, author of Lawn Gone: Low-Maintenance, Sustainable Attrac- tive Alternatives for Your Yard. “Pennsyl- vania sedge, a low, grassy, meadow-like groundcover, can also work. For areas with full sun, bearberry, an evergreen creeping shrub with red berry-like fruit in fall, or prairie dropseed, a beautiful prairie grass with sparkling seed heads in fall, might be worth trying.” “Stick with the Carex family of plants, the sedges, for a na- tive meadow,” echoes Greenlee. “They vary in color, texture and height. Follow nature’s lead and create a tapestry of commingled plants. Start slow and add flowering plants like Queen Anne’s lace, daisies, asters and poppies.”
Humid Subtropics In sunny and well-drained areas of the South, Penick suggests Gulf muhly, an ornamental grass. “Its fall blooms resemble pink cotton candy floating above its green leaves.” In Florida, flowering sunshine mimosa with fern- like leaves and other natural ground- covers are low maintenance. “Basket grass is a low, evergreen
Hot and grass-like plant with long, spaghetti-type
photos by Pam Penick
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