Environmentally Friendly Ground Covers

Whether looking for a green alternative to the traditional lawn, which can be used for running, entertainment, and play, or for flowering ground covers that add beauty to the yard, there are many choices that the environmentally conscious home owner can make in deciding on lawn plantings.

Drought Resistant Ground Cover

Some varieties of plants are better suited than others to resist the drying effects of hot summer whether. These plants are a good alternative in areas with watering restrictions, as well as in homes where people are not available to water their lawns on a regular basis.

• White Clover – is one such alternative to grass. Not only does it require much less in terms of watering and mowing, and can exist well without pesticides, but it also provides nitrogen to the soil, and food for insects and animals such as bees, deer, and rabbits.

White clover does require watering to help it establish, but will maintain its lush, green appearance longer, and with much less watering than most grasses will allow. Clover does require full sun areas to grow as it does not do particularly well in shady areas.

• Creeping Thyme – in dry, sunny locations, thyme will quickly spread. This flowering ground cover releases a wonderful aroma when walked on or touched. With some varieties growing only approximately 1 inch tall, and the ability to grow among rock gardens, Thyme can be the plant of choice for many situations.
• Creeping Oregano – grows to about 6 inches tall, and can do well in high traffic areas. This herb spreads quickly, and is naturally resistant to drought, weeds, and pests. Some varieties contain beautiful pink flowers for much of the growing season, while others maintain a wonderful green foliage. Oregano prefers sunny, well drained locations for growth, but has been known to do well in shaded areas also.

Easy Maintenance Flowering Ground Cover

• Lavender – with a soothing aroma, and wonderful blue-purple flowers, this drought resistant plant can be used as a ground cover or hedge plant. Lavender grows to about 18 inches high, for those who prefer the flower look and do not wish to mow their lawns. As it maintains its fragrance after drying, and survives for days after cutting, Lavender is often used in both dried and fresh floral arrangements.
• Creeping Phlox – grows to about 6 inches tall, and does well in well drained, sunny locations. Phlox is an evergreen plant which has beautiful flowers of blue, pink, lavender, white, or even red colors, blooming in the early spring and summer. It is adaptable to many tough growing soil conditions such as sloping lawns, pathways, gravelly soil, and both acidic and alkaline soils.
• Coneflower or Echinacea – come in many varieties of coloring, such as pink, purple, yellow, white, and red. They are loved by butterflies and hummingbirds, and are easy to grow in hot, sunny locations. They are drought resistant, fragrant flowers, which can be enjoyed in both flowering gardens or lawns, or in cut flower arrangements.

Alternative Ground Cover Choices for Green Living

With a little research and time in replacing existing grass filled lawns, many people are making the environmentally friendly switch to ground coverings which are easier to maintain, and a pleasant alternative to the traditional lawn.

Sources

Great Garden Plants

Mountain Valley Growers