> On Mon, May 5, 2008 at 7:02 AM, Curt Raymond wrote: >> Water? You water yours? >> Mine gets watered (and you can tell) where I drag the hose out to water the >> garden... >> If I get around to installing drip irrigation this year even that will stop. > > Ditto. Jim and I are both in the Pacific NW; he's on the dry side of > the mountains, so I guess he has an excuse, but I'm on the wet side > where the grass gets naturally watered from September through May but > has to fend for itself the rest of the time. It turns brown, but > comes back from dormancy just fine. (The only problem is if you live > somewhere with neighborhood association bylaws, gated community > covenants, or some such that forbid any vegetation other than green > lawn year-round.) > Nevertheless, my long-term plan is less grass, more edible permaculture. > Alex Chamberlain ____________________________________ Here are a number of ground covers suggested as substitutes for grass. Anyone had experience with any of them? I'd plant a vegetable garden in the front yard but this restricted subdivision, which is fairly reasonable, wouldn't go for that. Thanks, Gerry .................................................. Low-growing ground covers Many of these ground huggers can withstand light foot traffic. In other words, you can walk on them periodically, and they're ideal for planting around stepping stones or in the narrow planting strip between the sidewalk and street. All the following plants are evergreen, meaning they have leaves all year. (Deciduous plants lose their leaves in the fall.)
a.. Wooly yarrow (Achillea tomentosa): This tough, hardy ground cover reaches to about 6 to 9 inches high and can take foot traffic. In the summer, yellow flowers complement the ferny, gray-green foliage. The leaves are also aromatic, a fragrant bonus when you walk on it (that is, if you like the smell). a.. Carpet bugle (Ajuga reptans): Carpet bugle grows 2 to 6 inches high with handsome, deep green or purplish leaves. This hardy plant sports blue flowers that grow on spikes in spring and early summer. a.. Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile): This plant's fine-textured, aromatic foliage reaches about 6 inches high. Chamomile has yellow flowers (herbal tea is made from the dried flowers) and can withstand light traffic. The ground cover is hardy to about 0 degrees F. a.. English ivy (Hedera helix): This widely adapted, sprawling foliage plant sometimes has variegated leaves. Generally, this hardy plant grows 12 to 18 inches high and can climb. a.. Aaron's Beard, St. John's Wort (Hypericum calycinum): Sunny yellow flowers highlight this hardy plant, which grows 12 inches high. a.. Iceplant (Lampranthus):This large group of low-growing succulents has bright flowers. Most of these drought-tolerant plants are not very hardy and are best adapted to mild-winter climates. a.. Mondo grass or lily turf (Liriope or Ophiopogon): Grassy leaves and summer flowers identify these two similar, hardy plants. They also thrive in shade. a.. Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis): This attractive foliage plant is ideal for shady, moist situations. Japanese spurge grows to about 10 inches high and is hardy. a.. Spring cinquefoil (Potentilla tabernaemontana): Spring cinquefoil has neatly lobed leaves and yellow flowers and grows 3 to 6 inches high. This hardy plant can withstand foot traffic. a.. Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox): A spreading herb with aromatic foliage and white to pink flowers, this plant grows 3 to 6 inches high. Creeping thyme is hardy and can withstand traffic. a.. Dwarf periwinkle (Vinca minor): This ground cover displays dark green leaves and violet blue flowers. Growing 6 to 12 inches high, dwarf periwinkles thrive in shade and are hardy. http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/Choose-Ground-Covers-as-a-Lawn-Alternative.id-2951.html _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
