Drive-By Gardens: Sedge lawn and grasses make another lawn-gone garden
Driving in East Austin recently, I spotted this cheery yellow house with an alternative lawn of sedge—probably either Texas or Berkeley sedge—in the front yard…
…and a row of native Lindheimer muhly (Muhlenbergia lindheimeri) along the side-yard fence.
A few brown patches marred the beauty of the sedge lawn, but even so I appreciated the tufted-ottoman look of this no-mow, low-water lawn. Sedge makes an especially good replacement for a front lawn, which typically sees little foot traffic. In our hot climate, I’d give it dappled shade or morning sun only. In fact, this one could be struggling because it gets a blast of afternoon sun.
A clump of steel-blue agaves, which echo the color of the corrugated-metal fence behind them, anchors the corner and provides additional texture.
Blue-green Lindheimer muhly grasses soften the line between fence and sidewalk.
Overall, it’s a very low-maintenance design using three kinds of native (or well-adapted) plants. Smart!
All material © 2006-2012 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Love the Lindheimer’s Muhly in front of the fence…and think of how fabulous it will be once they bloom! I do hope you’ll go back for photos…they are spectacular!
They really do look great. I’ll try to return for a picture of them in bloom, Scott. —Pam
Maybe the sycamores need to grow in more to shade it all better, then it will be all-right? Nice stuff, Ms. Death Star, especially seeing the muhleys left the #@**% alone. Pics – please – in another month or so, when they are primo w/ pink.
I unintentionally ignored the sycamores! Make that FOUR types of plants working together here, and yes, maybe after the sycamores fill out the sedge will be happier in more shade. I’ll try to get back over there to see the muhlies in bloom. —Pam
That really is lovely. Looks like a taller version of Pennsylvania sedge, which can make a substitute lawn in this area – though it can’t take much foot traffic.
That Penn sedge is on the cover my upcoming book, Lawn Gone! It’s a great lawn alternative for you northern and midwestern gardeners. —Pam
Very nice sedge. Too bad they wilt a little in the heat and sun – then they’d be perfect!
That’s true. I just substitute Mexican feathergrass or Gulf muhly for sunny areas though. —Pam
What a cool yard!!!!!!!!!! Love it!
It’s great to see people being creative with ways to eliminate thirsty lawn, isn’t it? —Pam
Great example of a no-mow lawn! Thank you….since 2010 working on replacing most of my St. Augustine grass with more drought tolerant plants. Can’t wait until it’s all established, in the mean time, I feel like I’m permanently attached to water hose.
It can definitely be tricky trying to establish even a drought-tolerant garden during a drought (I assume you’re in Texas too). But it’ll pay off for you, and not just in watering time. Increased wildlife habitat and beauty to enjoy count too! —Pam
Hi pam
I am shirley from mumbai city, India.I was searching for fish ponds and I came across your beautiful blog and have become your fan. You are one amazing and talented person. I am looking for a 300 gallon stock tank the type you have can you help me with some suppliers for shipping to india. I also contacted applegate but they dont ship internationalyy 🙁
Hi, Shirley. I appreciate your kind words and am happy to welcome you to Digging. But I’m unable to help you find a supplier for stock tanks to India. I bought mine from Callahan’s General Store in Austin. You can Google them and see if they know who might ship you one. —Pam