Maintaining a beautiful lawn can be a huge challenge, especially in areas with difficult growing conditions. Don’t fret about stubborn spots that just won’t grow right; fortunately, there’s a variety of vegetation that can be installed instead of grass or sod. These plants can provide unique aesthetic value and contribute to the overall health and biodiversity of your yard.
What to Plant Where Grass Won’t Grow
Before selecting a good substitute, it’s important to understand the area’s growing conditions. Factors such as sunlight exposure, soil composition, and moisture levels can significantly affect plant growth. Once you’ve identified the area’s conditions, you can select plants suited to those conditions.
Landscaping Ideas Where Grass Won’t Grow: Ground Covers
Ground covers (or groundcovers) are low-growing plants that spread to cover large soil areas. They famously form a sort of beautiful, “natural carpet.” They’re particularly useful for areas that receive limited sunlight or are prone to erosion. Some popular groundcover species include:
Creeping Thyme
This fragrant herb produces small purple flowers in the summer. It does well in sunny or shady areas but generally prefers the sun. This species is known to be fairly drought-resistant, making it a great option for regions that experience droughts and heat waves.
Irish Moss
Not a true "moss," this groundcover is perfect for areas with moist, shady conditions. It produces tiny white flowers in the spring and has a lush, mossy appearance. It is, however, susceptible to browning out with too much or too little water.
Sedum
Sedum (or stonecrop) is a hardy succulent that thrives in sunny, well-drained areas. There are over +400 known sedum varieties with many colors, some of which produce attractive flowers in the summer. Groundcover species are typically 1 to 4 inches tall, perfect for forming a dense natural carpet.
Front Yard Ideas Where Grass Won’t Grow: Wildflowers
Wildflowers are a great option for homeowners looking to add color and biodiversity to their lawns. Many species are rather hardy compared to most flowering plants and will often thrive in less-than-ideal conditions. This makes them well-suited for areas with poor soil or limited sunlight. Some popular wildflower options include:
Black-eyed Susan
This vibrant yellow flower is a hardy perennial that thrives in the sun. They grow 1 to 3 feet tall and are known to attract friendly pollinators such as bees and butterflies with their daisy-like flower. Varieties can be annual, biennial, or perennial.
Coneflower
Another friend to pollinators, this beautiful pink or purple flower is a hardy perennial that thrives in sunny areas with well-drained soil. They do not spread very aggressively, making them easy to maintain, and they have a very long bloom window out of the year.
Goldenrod
Cultivate a natural haven with Everwilde Farms' 2000 Old Field Goldenrod Native Wildflower Seeds. This Gold Vault Jumbo Seed Packet offers an abundance of native wildflower seeds, allowing you to effortlessly introduce the golden hues of Old Field Goldenrod to your landscape. Bring a touch of the wild to your garden with this prolific and enchanting native wildflower.
Landscaping Where Grass Won’t Grow: Shrub Options
Shrubs are an excellent option for homeowners looking to add height and structure to their lawns. They are particularly well suited to areas with well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight. Some popular shrub options include:
Rose Bushes
Roses are a classic shrub that can add beauty and even fragrance to any lawn. These do require plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil, but once a rose bush takes (becomes established) they are incredibly resilient.
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are beautiful shrub that produces large, showy flowers in a variety of colors. They prefer partial shade and consistently moist soil, so avoid planting them in drier and heavy sunlight areas. The color of hydrangeas depends upon your soil pH, where red/pink blooms result from neutral or basic soil (pH > 7), and blue/purple blooms indicate acidic conditions (pH < 7). We cover soil pH in depth in our article on the soil.
Lilac
Lilacs is a fragrant shrub that produces beautiful purple or white flowers in the spring. They require full sunlight and well-drained soil but produce remarkably colorful blooms when healthy. These incredibly robust perennial shrubs can live over +100 years yet are fairly easy to maintain as they typically only grow about 6" to 12" feet tall.
Backyard Ideas Where Grass Won’t Grow: Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are a great option for homeowners looking to add texture and movement to their backyards. They are typically very low maintenance and can add a scenic element that many landscapes are missing. Some popular ornamental grass options include:
Feather Reed Grass
This beautiful grass produces tall, feathery plumes in the summer, providing texture and motion to landscapes as it gently sways in the wind. It's rather sun-loving and grows to be 3 to 5 feet tall.
Japanese Forest Grass
This low-growing grass is one of a few species that actually thrives in shaded areas. They generally don't grow larger than about 2 feet wide or tall and produce beautiful golden foliage that turns pink in the fall.
Blue Fescue
This incredibly hardy grass is very drought-resistant and perfect for sunny areas with poor soil. It produces beautiful blue-gray foliage and requires very little maintenance. These are very common in drier areas and only grow up to about 12 inches.
Effective Plant Maintenance and Soil Preparation for
Areas Where Grass Won’t Grow
It’s important to note that some plants can become invasive if not properly maintained. Before getting your heart set on any species, research varieties appropriate for your region and growing conditions.
Essential Soil Preparation and Maintenance Techniques
Additionally, proper soil preparation and maintenance are essential for a successful landscape. Adding compost or other organic matter to the soil can improve its quality and provide essential nutrients for plant growth. Regular watering and fertilizing can also help ensure healthy plant growth.
In areas with limited sunlight, it’s good practice to prune trees and other nearby vegetation to allow adequate light penetration to the ground. Even shade-tolerant plants still require a minimum amount of sunlight to thrive. This will, of course, ensure sun-loving plants thrive as well.
Landscape Ideas Where Grass Won’t Grow
There’s a variety of great options for areas where grass or sod struggles to grow. Whether you choose groundcovers, wildflowers, shrubs, or ornamental grasses – these plants can add immense beauty, biodiversity, and interest to your lawn. By selecting appropriate species and properly maintaining your lawn, you can create a thriving and sustainable landscape that enhances the beauty and value of your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What To Plant Where Grass Won’t Grow
When grass won’t grow, consider planting alternative groundcovers like clover, moss, or creeping thyme. These plants thrive in areas with poor soil, shade, or heavy foot traffic. Additionally, you can create a low-maintenance rock or gravel garden. It’s important to choose plants that are well-suited to the specific conditions of your yard.
What To Put Where Grass Won’t Grow
If grass won’t grow in certain areas, there are alternative options to consider. Some options for what to put where grass won’t grow include ground cover plants such as creeping thyme or ornamental grasses like hakonechloa. Another option is to create a pathway using materials like gravel or stepping stones.
How Long Does It Take To Grow Grass
The time it takes to grow grass depends on various factors, such as the type of grass, climate, and maintenance. Generally, it can take anywhere from two weeks to two months for grass to grow fully. Factors like frequent watering, proper fertilization, and optimal sunlight can accelerate the growth process.
How To Plant Grass
To plant grass, start by preparing the soil by removing debris and tilling it. Then, spread grass seed evenly and cover with a thin layer of topsoil. Water the area regularly, keeping it moist until the grass starts to grow. Mow and maintain the grass to promote healthy growth.
