Do you have a yard that is too shaded or that has poor soil? Or do you want to avoid having to use a lot of water to maintain a green, healthy lawn? Regardless of why, there are ways to ensure your yard and landscape look amazing, even without grass. What you need is the right ideas and a dash of creativity.
Tips for Landscaping a Shady Yard
Grass requires a lot of sunshine to grow and remain healthy and thick. If you have a mostly shaded yard, it is best to stick with plants that thrive in the shade. The trick here is to select plants with more attractive foliage rather than flowers. Some ideas to help you with this can be found below.
The Groundcover
Groundcover plants should not be more than 12 to 18 inches tall. You can have these growing on their own or in between your taller plants to help cover bare areas.
Taller Plants
You can use some taller plants to break up the monotony of the groundcover, including European ginger, astilbe, or the Japanese painted fern.
Native Plants
Visit the local nursery to find forest-dwelling plants. These are designed to grow in the shade and usually do not require any fertilizing or other types of maintenance.
Sitting Areas or Paths
Having a shaded yard is great for relaxation. You can create an outdoor area featuring benches, brick paths, hammocks, and more. Be sure to add trellises and bird fountains to make the area even more relaxing.
Landscaping a Yard with Bad Soil
Do you have nutrient-poor soil, heavy clay, or just find it impossible to get anything to grow? If so, you are probably trying to grow the wrong things. There are a few plants you can try.
For example, Lenten roses can withstand several harsh conditions, including humidity, heat, drought, and bad soil. Some other options include black jack sedum, bleeding hearts, and periwinkle. These plants all thrive in poor soil conditions, which makes them a great option for your yard.
Landscaping a Drought Tolerant Yard
If you live in an area that is prone to drought, you may want to landscape without grass to help save water. If this is the case, you should choose low-water, low-maintenance options. This includes things like ornament grasses, succulents, and cacti. You can also add inorganic mulch to your plants to make things look clean and well put together.
Work with the Professionals for More No-Grass Landscaping Ideas
If you are ready to create a landscape design without using grass, be sure to keep the tips and ideas here in mind. If you want more ideas or to have someone plan the design for you, reach out to the professionals. They can help create a custom design plan that will meet, if not exceed, your expectations for your outside area. With the right design, you will find that your outdoor area looks amazing and that it is somewhere you want to spend time.
