Green grass and manicured lawns have become an iconic symbol of the American landscape, both here in Bucks County, PA and across the country.  Although difficult to maintain, the perfect weed-free lawn is something the typical suburban homeowner will spend many hours and dollars to achieve.   The Green Movement has changed the way many of us view the idea of a lawn.  Imagine a front yard in Doylestown, PA with no grass- would the neighbors complain?

The perfect lawn may look great to some, but it also has its drawbacks.  Beside the cost of maintenance, the affects of chemical applications on lawn grasses lead to contamination of both ground water and streams. Furthermore, lawn grasses do not absorb as much water as larger, deeper rooted plants, leading to more run-off and contributing to the aforementioned contamination.  Here in Bucks County, the idea of a yard with no lawn is unseemly to some, although a lawn-free landscape can be beautiful and environmentally beneficial.

Sedges are lawn grass alternatives for Newtown, PA and Doylestown, PA

Sweet Woodruff, a lawn grass alternative for Bucks County, PA

Although the idea of tearing out an existing lawn is not for everyone, merely reducing the size of lawn grass areas can lower the amount of run-off, while providing much needed habitat for wildlife and increasing the beauty of your landscape.  Plants that most resemble lawn grasses include Liriope, Sedges, and Daylilies- all plants with strap-like foliage.  Ground covers are also an excellent alternative to lawn grass and provide nearly endless choices; Creeping Thyme, Ajuga, Sweet Woodruff, Dianthus, Hosta, Ferns and many other low growing perennials.  Low-growing shrubs can also be used as a substitute for lawn grasses and include ground cover-type Azaleas and Rhododendrons, Spirea ‘Little Princess,' Heaths and Heathers, St. Johnswort, Canby Paxistima and Skimmia.

When designing an alternative to lawn grasses for you landscape, consider limiting the selection of plants; a mass planting of a single species will provide the same feel as a large panel of lawn grass.  For a large backyard, a meadow of native flowering perennials may be the best alternative to a lawn.  Consider the desired amount of formality to the lawn grass alternative, and select appropriate plants to achieve the desired effect.  By eliminating or reducing your lawn grass, you will be introducing a more natural and environmentally friendly ecosystem to your home landscape.