Guide to alternative lawns
An alternative to lawns: low-water-use lawns
Do you want a green and flowering garden without watering every day and mowing every week? BotanicalDryGarden alternative lawns are the real alternative to traditional lawns: carpets of groundcover plants with low water requirements, resistant to heat and drought, and beautiful all year round.
In the video, we explain how they work in less than 2 minutes. Below you will find how to choose the right variety for your garden and how to plant it.
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What is an alternative lawn
An alternative lawn is a green carpet made up of groundcover plants instead of the classic grasses of the English lawn. Species such as Lippia nodiflora, Verbena hybrida, Achillea crithmifolia, Frankenia laevis, Zoysia tenuifolia, Dymondia margaretae and creeping thymes spread along the ground and form a compact cover, often in bloom for months.
They are low-water-use lawns: once established, they tolerate heat and drought much better than a traditional lawn and require far less mowing.
Why choose a low-water-use lawn
- Less water: up to 80% less irrigation than a traditional lawn once established.
- Less maintenance: only a few mowings a year instead of one every two weeks.
- More flowers: many varieties burst into white, pink, lilac, or yellow blooms.
- More resilient: it handles heat and drought much better than a grass lawn.
- More sustainable: a practical way to conserve resources without compromising on a beautiful garden.
How to choose the right lawn alternative
Start with your garden: how many hours of sun does it get, how cold does it get in winter, how much will it be walked on, and are you near the sea?
For very sunny areas, look at the full sun grasses; for flowerbeds with few hours of light, the partial shade grasses. In the mountains or in the north, choose the cold climate grasses, if children and dogs play on it, the walkable grasses, and in coastal areas, the coastal grasses, which tolerate salt spray.
Each product page lists exposure, resistance to cold, foot traffic, and salt spray, as well as maximum height and flower colour.
When and how to plant a wildflower lawn
The ideal time is late summer – early autumn: the soil is still warm and the rain helps the plants take root. It is best to avoid July-August and January-February.
Remove weeds, work the top 25-30 cm of soil and plant 10 seedlings per square metre, about 30 cm apart. Water thoroughly after planting and regularly during the first few months: in 6–12 months the seedlings will join together to form a dense carpet.
Not sure how many seedlings you need? Read the guide how to calculate square metres.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alternative Lawns
What is the best alternative to a traditional lawn?
It depends on exposure, climate, and how the garden is used. For a highly walkable lawn, Lippia nodiflora, Zoysia tenuifolia and Verbena hybrida are recommended; for cold climates, Achillea crithmifolia, Antennaria and thyme; for partial shade, Frankenia, Erigeron and dwarf clover. You can filter the collection by requirement using the boxes at the top, for example walkable lawns.
How much water does an alternative lawn need?
During the first few months, it should be watered regularly to promote establishment. Once the turf has formed, a low-water-use lawn requires up to 80% less water than a traditional lawn.
Can you walk on alternative turf?
Yes. All our varieties withstand at least moderate foot traffic; those with high resistance are collected in the lawns for walking on, suitable for frequent passage, children and pets.
How many seedlings are needed per square meter?
We recommend 10 seedlings per square meter, spaced approximately 30 cm apart. At this density, the ground will be covered in 6–12 months, depending on the variety and planting season.
When do you plant an alternative lawn?
The best time is between late summer and early autumn. We advise against planting in July-August, due to the heat, and in January-February, due to the cold.
Does the alternative lawn need to be mown?
Much less than a traditional lawn: just a few mows a year are enough to keep it low and compact and encourage new blooms, instead of cutting every two weeks.