Landscape
Dwarf Myrtle(Myoporum parviflora)A low-growing evergreen shrub, dwarf myrtle can be kept sheared to a 1-foot height or left on its own to grow up to 2 feet tall. Native to Australia, it takes full sun and is drought tolerant once it's established. This is a great option for those in milder climates (zones 8 to 9b) and in areas with drought or low-desert regions. An added feature is the flush of tiny white flowers that appear in spring and stay in the summer months. Although it's a tough plant that addresses erosion issues well, it does not stand up to foot traffic, because of its semisucculent leaves.Growing tip: Once it's established, it requires very little water. If you overwater it, expect rapid and weak lateral growth.
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.
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.
Clover(Trifolium repens)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).
The dense reddish foliage of Razzleberri Chinese fringe flower fills in to cover the bare stalks of the bamboo in this San Francisco garden.Chinese Fringe Flower(Loropetalum chinense)Native to China, Japan and Southeast AsiaThis evergreen grows as an irregularly mounded shrub. Fringe-like white to pink flowers cover it in early spring, lasting two to three weeks. There are two forms: one with green leaves and white flowers, and another with red-tinged foliage and pink flowers. The red-tinged variety has been selected for a number of garden-worthy cultivars. Many of these cultivars reach 3 to 6 feet tall on their own. This shrub takes pruning well, so keeping it to a smaller size or shape is not a difficult task. The fruit it produces is not particularly useful to wildlife; this shrub’s main value in the landscape is the colorful year-round foliage.Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (zones 7 to 9)Water requirement: Average to moist soils; prefers moist, slightly acidic organic soilsLight requirement: Full to partial sunMature size: Species grow 6 to 10 feet tall; cultivars vary, with compact ones staying as small as 1 foot to 3 feet ...
A row of inkberry shrubs forms a semiformal hedge to separate the driveway from the yard here.Inkberry (I. glabra, zones 5 to 9) is another North American shrub, native to coastal regions of the east coast, from Nova Scotia to Florida and west to Louisiana, with evergreen leaves and black berries. Compact cultivars like ‘Shamrock’ could be used on sites with moist soil.Common winterberry (I. verticillata, zones 3 to 9) has adapted to a wide variety of climates in its native range, east of the Mississippi River. This species is deciduous, with leaves turning yellow and falling off to reveal clusters of bright red fruit in the fall and winter. ‘Red Sprite’, a cultivar that grows 3 to 5 feet tall, is a good heavenly bamboo replacement.With all hollies, you need at least one male plant to get berries. Caution: The leaves and berries of all holly species are toxic to humans and mammalian pets.Where it will grow: Hardiness varies by species, but the range is minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius, to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 10).Water requirement: Average to moist soils; adaptable to a range of soils as long as they do not have a h...
Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica)I’ve listed 10 shrubs that can be used in place of heavenly bamboo. Some of these have more particular growing requirements, but they do cover a range of climates and conditions across the U.S. While these substitute plants are not identical to heavenly bamboo, they have their own unique features and, depending on your landscape needs, may perform even better. In addition, many of these produce berries that benefit wildlife. If you wish to keep your heavenly bamboo, consider removing the berries and disposing of them as winter approaches to prevent wildlife from feeding on them.
A formal edging of dwarf yaupon holly in the Houston areaHolly(Ilex spp.)Native to temperate climates in Asia and North AmericaHollies are probably the first plant that people think of if you say, “Green leaves and red berries.” While many species have prickly leaves, there are plenty that don’t. There are many species of hollies appropriate to a variety of climates. Some noteworthy examples to replace heavenly bamboo include:Yaupon holly (I. vomitoria, USDA zones 7 to 10; find your zone) is an evergreen shrub that grows 3 to 5 feet tall and has a number of available cultivars. It features red berries that persist well into winter, providing birds with needed food. It’s native to the southeastern U.S., from southern Virginia to east Texas.Japanese holly (I. crenata, zones 5 to 8) is winter-hardy that yaupon holly. It is a dense evergreen shrub with a variety of available cultivars, suitable for use as an edging or a foundation planting. This species produces black berries in the foliage that birds will eat. It can be considered invasive in some regions.
Prairie MeadowsMeadows have a mix of wildflowers, low-growing flowering perennials and ornamental or native grasses. Many extension offices have a list of the types of plant combinations that will work for your specific area, requiring the lowest maintenance and water. Most prairie meadows will appreciate as much sun as you can give them, but some plants will accept some dappled shade.
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