Loot From My Late Night Quests for Knowledge
Ground Cover
When looking into lawn alternatives, many people turn to ground cover plants. Ground cover is defined as low growing plants either growing on the forest ground or planted for ornamental purposes. The right plant can replace grass as the main plant in your lawn and can be both easier to take care of and better for the envioronment.
finding an alternative to your grass lawn doesnt necessarily mean ripping out your entire yard and replace it with an entirely new landscape. You can simply plant flowers or some low growing plant in between the grass and continue to mow as usual. Ground cover can also be used in areas where grass just refuses to grow. Using those undesirable areas of your yard can be extremely beneficial if used correctly. Some examples could be bushes or flowers for butterflies, herbs for your kitchen, or simply some more varied greenery to keep the soil from eroding.
Vinca Minor
※ Sun Exposure: Partial or full shade
※ Soil Type: Sandy or clay
※ Soil pH: Any pH
※ Height: 0-1in (1-2cm)
※ Foot Traffic: Very High
※ Growth Rate: Fast
Other Facts: Attracts butterflies, Deer and rabbit resistant, Drought resistant, Evergreen. Native to europe and considered invasive in some states.
Leptinella Gruveri
※ Sun Exposure: Partial or full shade
※ Soil Type: Normal, sandy, or clay
※ Soil pH: Any pH
※ Height: 4-6in (10-15cm)
※ Foot Traffic: Moderate
※ Growth Rate: Fast
Other Facts: Evergreen
Wall Germander
※ Sun Exposure: Full sun
※ Soil Type: Well-draining soil
※ Soil pH: 6.0-8.0 pH
※ Height: 9-12in
Other facts: Native to Mountainous regions of Southwest Asia, Northern Africa, and Europe
Sweet Woodruff
※ Sun Exposure: Partial or full shade
※ Soil Type: any soil
※ Soil pH:any pH
※ Height: 4-8in (10-20cm)
※ Foot Traffic: None
※ Growth Rate: Fast
Other facts: Deer and rabbit resistant, native to Europe, North Africa, and Siberia
Creeping Phlox
※ Sun Exposure: Partial Shade
※ Soil Type: Normal, sandy, or clay
※ Soil pH: Any pH
※ Height: 6-12in (15-30 cm)
※ Foot Traffic: Light
※ Growth Rate: Medium
Other Facts: Creeping Phlox is evergreen and native to Appalachian mountain areas
Lamium
※ Sun Exposure: Partial or Full Shade
※ Soil Type: Normal, sandy, or clay
※ Soil pH: Any pH
※ Height: 8-12in (20-30cm)
※ Foot Traffic: Light
※ Growth Rate: Fast
Other Facts: Deer and Rabbit Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Evergreen, Native to Europe and invasive in the United States
Bunchberry
※ Sun Exposure: Partial or Full Shade
※ Soil Type: clay
※ Soil pH: Neutral or Acid
※ Height: 8-12in (20-30cm)
※ Foot Traffic: None
※ Growth Rate: low
Other Facts: Rabbit and Deer resistant, native to Eastern Asia, Greenland, and nothern North America
Larinem Park
※ Sun Exposure: Full sun or partial shade
※ Soil Type: any soil
※ Soil pH: Any pH
※ Height: 3-4in (8-10cm)
※ Foot Traffic: Light
※ Growth Rate: Medium
Other Facts: Rabbit and Deer resistant, Good for butterflies, Drought resistant, Native to Eastern Asia