Creating A Lush and Welcoming Landscape

There's no need to plant a grass lawn in order to have a beautiful and enjoyable yard. There are many design choices for those who choose to forego high-maintenance and water-hogging lawn grasses. Combining two or more of the following options can create a gorgeous alternative that the whole family can enjoy.

1. Add More Perennial Beds

A lack of lawn grass doesn't mean a lack of greenery and living color. Perennial beds only need to be planted once and the plants will return each year. Other than some weeding, light watering, and periodic pruning, a perennial bed can be very low maintenance when you choose the right types of plants. Opt for native plants in your area so that minimal water and fertilizer are necessary to keep them blooming and beautiful. Combine groundcover plants with seasonal flowering options in a range of colors, textures, and mature heights if you want a varied and attractive landscaping bed.

2. Create Shade Islands

A major benefit of skipping the lawn is you don't have to worry about shading out the grass with taller trees and shrubs. Adding a mulched island bed around tree and shrub plantings solves the problem of bare ground in the shaded spots. You can then nestle shade-loving plants, such as ferns and some varieties of hostas, around the base of the trees so that the area is still adorned in attractive greenery.

3. Choose Alternative Groundcovers

Getting rid of the lawn grass doesn't necessarily mean skipping out on a lawn entirely. There are alternatives to grass if you would still like a large expanse suitable for playing and entertaining. Groundcovers like clover, for example, are green and soft underfoot, but they don't require frequent mowing, watering, or fertilizing. This makes them superior to grass when it comes to maintenance and environmental concerns.

4. Lay Down a Sturdy Mulch

One complaint about grass-less yards can be weeds, simply because weeds tend to invade any area with bare soil. The trick is to use mulch, either an organic mulch like bark chips or an inorganic type like decorative gravel and rocks. Organic mulches must be replenished regularly, whereas inorganic options only require periodic raking to keep out debris. You can combine mulches with plants, or even create rock garden areas.

Contact a landscape design service if you need more help with designing a yard that works well with your situation.