browsing: low-maintenance lawn

The history of the turfgrass lawn goes back to ancient castles and the need for visibility for security. Fast forward to the 1950s and the middle-class birth of the suburban lawn, and here we are. In our new age of conservation and environmental awareness, alternatives to lawns are beginning to make their way into the mainstream. Collected here are some possibilities to consider when replacing all or a portion of a turfgrass lawn with pollinator-friendly, drought tolerant, no-mow, no chemical “lawnscapes.”

These plants are also:

• easily maintained once established
• erosion control, especially for slopes
• living mulch alternative providing soft landings for insects
• weed control
• beautiful texture and form
• evergreen options for year-round interest