A well-groomed lawn is always the most complex area in the garden. Because the care can be very intensive. It has to be mowed, scarified, fertilized and watered regularly. Everything takes a lot of time. But there are also areas in the garden where grass does not grow particularly well. A good alternative is a lawn substitute. Evergreen, hard-wearing ground covers are particularly well suited for this. They are easy to care for and still grow in almost all locations.
Ground cover as a lawn substitute
Various plants can be planted as a lawn substitute for greening areas. However, these are mainly used as ornamental lawns. The ground covers are sturdy. but not as resilient as normal turf. The areas are walkable. However, if you run regularly, beaten paths can quickly develop. Such a replacement lawn is particularly suitable for problem areas in the garden or for low-maintenance greening of small areas.
Ground covers are plants that
- grow low
- cover the floor with a carpet
- walkable, evergreen and mostly hardy.
Most plants exhibit some degree of crush resistance. Evergreen does not always have to mean that the foliage always retains its green color in winter, but that the leaves remain intact during the cold season.
tip: Different types of ground cover planted in one area set special accents.
To be considered before planting
Before planting the replacement lawn, the soil must be well prepared. Roots and weeds must be removed. the floor should
- be loose and permeable
- no waterlogging occurs
- loosen loamy soils with sand
- If necessary, bring in mature compost depending on the plant variety
10 to 15 plants per square meter are then planted in the loosened soil. Slow-growing varieties should be planted more densely to prevent weed growth.
tip: Many flowering ground covers attract bees and other insects. These should never be entered barefoot, as painful stitches can occur on the soles of the feet.
Pros and cons of lawn replacement
Of course, replacing the lawn with evergreen hard-wearing groundcover brings some benefits benefits with himself. so can among other things
- improve soil quality
- Ground covers have special ornamental value
- are easy to care for
- provide protection against weeds and drying out of the soil
- attract bees and butterflies
- are mostly hardy and evergreen
In addition, the planting of lawn substitutes also brings some disadvantage:
- Attracts unwanted insects such as wasps
- higher maintenance effort in autumn, depending on the variety
- not all plants are really hardy to walk on
A distinction is made between hard-wearing and walkable ground covers. Sturdy plants tolerate frequent and firm foot traffic by humans and animals, such as Roman chamomile, thyme or star moss and feather pads. On the other hand, walk-on plants should be walked on rarely and carefully, such as hazel root.
Choice of cushion plants
Which plant is used in each case always depends on various factors such as
- stress on the replacement lawn
- location (sun, shade, penumbra) and
- size of the area
There are now various types of ground cover that are suitable as a replacement for a lawn, such as flowering or evergreen cushion perennials. The selection is quite large and there is something for every taste.
Ground cover from F - M
feather pad (cotula)
This vigorous upholstery perennial is also known as the lye flower. The small yellow and inconspicuous flower heads appear from May to July. They exude a wonderful scent of honey. The foliage is very dense and finely feathered. It is comparable to small mini ferns.
- Height 5 to 10 cm
- runner-forming, width up to 45 cm
- green leaves in summer, turning coppery to black in winter
- Not all varieties are hardy, so be careful when choosing
- sunny to partially shaded locations
- well-drained, slightly moist soil
- no waterlogging
- Loosen soils that are too nutrient-rich or firm with sand
- 15 to 20 plants per square meter
- water well after planting
- susceptible to frost and winter sun
- in autumn cover with brushwood, otherwise brown colouration
- light fertilization in spring with compost or organic fertilizer
- heavy inspection, creation of walkways
- water when dry
Silver pinnate, Cotula hispida
tip: If the areas are walked on frequently, it is advisable to lay stepping stones.
Stonecrop (Sedum acre)
The hot stonecrop enchants with its star-shaped yellow flowers from June to August. The pile-forming perennial is hard-wearing. The feeling of walking barefoot is extremely pleasant.
- Height 5 to 15 cm
- particularly suitable for smaller areas
- creeping, robust and easy to care for
- hardy and evergreen
- withstands long dry periods
- full sun location
Sedum acre 'Yellow Queen'
groundcover with P
Pennywort (Lysimachia nummularia)
This evergreen perennial is also known as coinwort or yellow loosestrife. Bright yellow flowers appear from May to July. Cultivation and care are relatively easy.
- Height 5 to 10 cm
- prefers partial shade
- However, it also does well in the sun
- undemanding, hardy and evergreen
- grows in areas where nothing else grows
- robust and hardwearing
- but not necessarily suitable for daily play and romping
- otherwise there will be bare spots
- then restricted growth
- Recommended pruning once a year
Pennywort, Lysimachia nummularia
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)
This herb blooms profusely from July to August/September. The flowers are pink to soft purple. The perennial is evergreen and just as hardy:
- Height up to 5 cm
- prefers partial shade
- hardwearing
- relatively soft, so you can walk on it barefoot
- after walking intense smell of mint
Pennyroyal, Mentha pulegium
Purple Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum)
This very hardy lamiaceae is robust and adaptable. The purple, white, pink or blue-green flowers appear from March to October and the leaves are green all year round.
- prefers shade or partial shade
- dense growing
- Height up to 45 cm
- Cut back with a lawn mower
- Spring fertilizing with compost or organic fertilizer
- attracts bees and butterflies
- Excellent for stony, sandy, barren soils
- also grows where nothing else grows
Purple Deadnettle, Lamium purpureum
Ground cover from R - S
Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
This evergreen hardy ground cover is also known as lawn chamomile. The white flowers with a pleasant chamomile aroma appear between June and September. The perennial is hardy and
- grows to a maximum of 15 cm high
- Cutting possible with raised lawnmower
- but only upright growing branches should be cut
- dense growth
- wintergreen to evergreen
- loves a sunny location
- partial shade still tolerated
- prefers dry soil
- enrich loamy soils with sand
- Planting time autumn and spring
- very sturdy
- the more traffic, the faster the growth
carpet chamomile, Anthemis nobilis; Roman chamomile, Chamaemelum nobile
tip: The Roman chamomile is very rampant. Escape-proof lawn edges should therefore be set.
Star Moss (Sagina subulata)
This cushion perennial is not, as the name suggests, a type of moss but a pearl herb from the carnation family. Its name was derived from the white, star-shaped flowers that appear in abundance from June to August. The leaves are small, narrow and wedge-shaped. The evergreen, hard-wearing upholstery plant exudes a pleasant, intense scent. Due to its height, Sternmoos is an ideal lawn substitute.
- forms dense cushions
- Height five centimeters
- tolerates temperatures down to -35 °C
- Location semi-shady to shady
- loves light nutritious and moist soil
- no waterlogging
- Improve too light soils with mature compost
- occasional fertilization
- put 15 plants per square meter
- if the plant gets too tall, trim it with scissors
- promotes branching
- Clear the area of leaves in the fall
- formation of moisture under foliage
- Plants then rot
Star Moss, Sagina subulata
tip: After a few weeks, the plants then lift off the ground. Then simply press them back in place. Frequent inspection can help.
Ground cover from T - Z
Carpet verbena 'Summer Pearls' (Phyla nodiflora)
This cushion perennial originally comes from Japan. It shows a sea of flowers in white-pink from May to October. The small round flowers exude a slightly sweet scent. The carpet verbena is the best alternative to the classic lawn. Because it can score with various advantages such as
- evergreen hardy ground cover
- foliage turns brownish in winter
- tolerates drought and wet
- Roots almost a meter deep in the ground
- thus supply of water possible during drought
- faster growth
- covered one square meter within a few months
- Gaps are closed quickly
- Height up to 5 cm
- easy-care
- no mowing
- no formation of walkways
- prefers sunny locations
- high tread resistance, tolerates occasional football games
Carpet Verbena, Phyla nodiflora
thyme (thymus)
The upholstery thyme is particularly suitable for this. Depending on the variety, reddish, violet, white-purple or soft purple flowers appear from April to August. They bewitch you with their aromatic scent. Thyme is both evergreen and hardy:
- fast growing
- forms dense cushions
- planting in spring
- formed a dense carpet within one growing season
- Distance between plants 15 to 20 cm
- Plant grows sideways
- Height from 2 to 10 cm
- loves a sunny spot with poor, sandy soil
- Remove weeds regularly until they have spread
- attracts bees
- particularly hard-wearing, for example Thymus cherlerioides or Thymus praecox minor
thyme, thymus
tip: Wild thyme (Thymus serphyllum) is particularly suitable for a scented lawn.
Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dammeri)
Small flowers appear from May to July in a variety of colors from white to cream to red. After that, red fruits resembling berries are formed in the fall.
- Height up to 15 cm
- roots itself
- loves a sunny location
- permeable and moist soils preferred
- evergreen and hardy
- perfect for smaller areas
- hardwearing
Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster
tip: The berries of the cotoneaster are slightly poisonous. Therefore, caution is required with small children and pets.