Since we're looking ahead
at the possibility of less water this summer due to our lower snowpack,
let's consider some lawn alternatives.
Think of those
hard-to-mow or hard-to-water areas like around posts and benches or
where the mower doesn't fit on slopes or near foundations. Why have lawn
in these areas, especially when there are many great alternatives? For
example, there are plants that grow no taller than 3 inches and can be
walked on and never have to be mowed.
Consider the
Thyme family. Wooly Thyme is a ground-hugging thyme that spreads
out to more than a foot in width and features wool-gray foliage. It
produces a wonderful display of purple flowers in summer.
Another Thyme to
consider is Doone Valley. This plant provides a special treat
for the senses! A strong lemon-scented fragrance from this bi-colored
plant gives an aromatic as well as a colorful change to one's
landscape. Doone Valley Thyme has dark green leaves flecked with
yellow, and in early summer the plant produces pink clusters of
flowers.
Both of these
Thymes are low maintenance and grow 2 to 3 inches tall and about 18
inches wide. A person can also totally replace a grass lawn with a
thyme lawn. If you live in a subdivision with special covenants and
rules about landscape, be certain to check into those before replacing
your lawn completely.
As we think about
potential drought and expense of watering lawns this year, think Thymes
as a lawn alternative. To learn more about using thyme instead of
grass for your lawn, CLICK
HERE.
