On a cool, drizzling morning in May, I check in with the ever-changing mosaic of groundcovers and think: Me likey! Especially compared to the thoroughly boring turfgrass it replaced. Much prettier, more interesting, and it even offers up blossoms to the local pollinators.
Just don’t let anyone tell you it’s less work because it most definitely is not. Lawn care in this little oval meant a five-minute mowing about 10 times a year, and that’s all. Now I weed and I fiddle and if I’m adding anything new, I water. But you know, it’s gardening - hands-on and creative – and I love doing it. Lawn care? Not so much.
Here’s lots more more about this lawn-to-garden makeover. The dominant groundcovers in this video are Creeping Jenny, Creeping cinquefoil (Potentilla), Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Flood’, Sedum acre, assorted creeping thymes and some Alyssum self-seeded from last year. The main shrubs on view are the low Euonymus ‘Emerald Gaity’ and filling out the corner, Spirea nipponica ‘Snowmound’ blooming in white.
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Isn’t it exciting when an experiment works out the way you hoped?
This just makes me happy looking at it. Nice job. Love to see the progress.
You are so right that it is NOT less work. We replaced our lawn with beds and walks several years ago (due to my husband’s frustration with the lack of putting green perfection) and now I spend more time than ever weeding, etc. But you are so right it is more fun and infinitely more interesting. Now if I can just get rid of the wild onion that is threatening to take over….
I honestly don’t think it’s more work, at least once the plants get established.. I’ve eliminated mowing everywhere except for walking paths and the dog yard (that’s a little more challenging), and after two years of mulching and weeding the weeds have been beaten back dramatically. Yes, you’ll always have to weed some, but I don’t have to do nearly as much as I did at first. Then again, my yard has a lot of hills and angles that made mowing a real chore. Probably not that same as your little oval.
I loved the video tour. You always have something to teach – and not only about gardening.
This is definitely much more appealing than a standard lawn, although with considerably more upkeep. Either way, it looks fantastic!
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