Front yard
Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) Adapted to zones 5 to 9, this evergreen ground cover is a perfect way to achieve a no-grass lawn. Opt for regular mondo grass, which grows up to 6 inches tall, or choose dwarf mondo grass, just 2 inches tall, and never mow again. If you choose regular mondo grass, mow it annually in late winter to keep it filled in and healthy. Native to Asia, mondo grass is adapted to a number of regions throughout the United States, and is surprisingly good at handling foot traffic. Growing tips: Plant plugs 6 inches apart in spring or fall to encourage a quick fill-in, and lightly mulch between the plus to discourage weeds.
A member of the legume family, clover is a tough-as-nails lawn alternative, thriving in sun to partial shade and needing no fertilizing. It'll take a wide range of soils with a wide pH range, and is best adapted to zones 5 to 8. It's also a little more forgiving of foot traffic than moss is, but will not appreciate heavy running and playing — something to keep in mind if you have animals and small children. Although it's native to Europe, North Africa and West Asia, clover is well adapted to grassy areas across the United States. Growing tips: Sow seeds in the spring after nighttime temperatures are consistently higher than 40 degrees. Keep the soil moist until the clover germinates (sprouts).
Sedge (Carex spp) Sedges feature grasslike leaves and grow in clumps, and are noted for their wide range of growing requirements. Sedges, depending upon their variety, come in many sizes and textures, and grow in a number of different kinds of soils and in virtually every USDA hardiness zone. You can leave sedge unmowed for a taller, more meadow-like look, or mow it a few times a year to maintain more of a lawn look. Sedge can handle light foot traffic and is native to nearly every state in the U.S., depending on the variety. Growing tips: Mow your sedge lawn in the spring to remove any winter burn, and let the seeds drop after they have finished flowering to allow for the sedge to fill in more thickly. Plant it in spring or fall, or even in the winter in a very warm climate.
Lilyturf (Liriope muscari) Commonly called liriope, this evergreen ground cover features dark green strappy leaves and grows well in zones 5 to 10. Similar in appearance to mondo grass, it has leaves that are just a bit wider and grows to a height of 1 foot to 1½ feet tall. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and grows in sun to light shade, and although it is drought tolerant once established, it does best with some consistent irrigation. Native to Eastern Asia, liriope is adapted to many parts of the United States, and can handle light foot traffic on occasion. Growing tip: Place plantings 1 foot apart and lightly mulch between them to discourage weeds until your lawn is filled in.
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