the area is 2500 sq ft. Easy to grow and great for edgings or … What You Need to Know About VOC’s in Paints, clover as an eco-friendly lawn alternative, Sustainable Landscaping Using the SITES Framework, Sustainable Landscaping: Establishing a Managed Meadow, 19 Non-Toxic, Eco-Friendly Mattresses for Every Budget, 10 Eco Building Materials Revolutionizing Home Construction, The Many Benefits of LEED-Certified Homes, 10 Steps Toward a Zero Energy Home [Infographic], Pop-Up House: The Affordable Passive House. From creeping phlox to creeping thyme these perennial ground cover plants are loaded with flowers to attract pollinators to the garden. Many of them spread and multiply as well. There’s nothing quite like a big, lush, and beautiful lawn. French and English thyme are most often used in cooking. Edible herbs as ground cover? Pink Diamond Hydrangea, Growing, Selling and Propagating this Amazing Plant. Sweet woodruff is an edible herb, said to taste something like vanilla, and it gives … Growing only 2 to 4 inches high, this versatile herb requires no mowing, little watering and needs very limited care. Not all varieties of thyme work as a groundcover, but the ones that do offer a beautiful and fragrant lawn bedding that prefers direct sunlight and needs little care. Growing, Selling and Propagating Silver Dollar Hydrangea, The Perfect Plant for a Shady Garden, Jack Frost Brunnera. It’s really low growing (2-4 inches) and spreads to about 2 feet. The developing water shortage crisis in the U.S. has prompted many homeowners to turn to low-maintenance lawn alternatives. It prefers full sun, but will grow in partial shade. The perks of traditional turf lawns, however, come with some serious. But we’re here to tell you that it will absolutely pay off. The purple flowers also look stunning in summer. According to the World Green Building Trends 2018 report from Dodge Data and Analytics, green building is officially a “global trend” and energy conservation is a top priority for people all over the planet. The creeping thyme is a dark green and the wholly is blue green and I like the contrast. Sweet Woodruff. It requires very little maintenance, and its star-shaped twists of leaves and delicate white flowers can add interesting texture to any. Creeping Thyme: This European and North African native is an evergreen ground cover with flowers in shades of pink and purple. Planted around garden paths, as an alternative to lawn for a light traffic yard or as erosion control, these are our favorite “stepables”. Red creeping thyme transforms any lawn area into a breathtaking scene — especially in the early summer, when bright reddish blooms appear. Creeping Red Fescue seed is planted in cool, shaded areas as this grass is very shade tolerant as opposed to other cool season grasses. You have to love how it looks, like how it feels on your feet, trust that it cleans up without too much effort and lasts a long time – and since you care about the planet that we live on….it needs to be healthy and eco-friendly, too. One of the best ways to reduce the area of your turf lawn: Transform part of the lawn into a gorgeous ornamental grass display. Is there any better feeling than walking barefoot through soft grass, or laying out a blanket on the lawn and feeling the sun on your face? But this type of clover actually makes for an outstanding total lawn alternative. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. Its nitrogen-fixing properties provide a constant trickle of fertilizer to surrounding grasses, so planting a patch of clover means your lawn as a whole will be healthier and greener. Creeping Thyme (Thymus Serpyllum Magic Carpet) - If you have a stepping stone path or a flagstone patio, growing Magic Carpet seeds is a great way to add lovely, low-growing thyme to the walkway and patio crevices. It’s deer resistant and attracts pollinators. They’re also naturally disease- and pest-resistant, so you can say goodbye to chemical pesticides. They’re also naturally disease- and pest-resistant, so you can say goodbye to chemical pesticides. Planting a moss bed couldn’t be simpler, and you won’t need to mow or water your moss bed, provided you choose an appropriate shady location. Some of these ground covers will grow in sun and others in shade; all will put on growth quickly. Here are four options that we’ve grown in … Its size and shape resembles that of ornamental grasses, so it’s not ideal for large-scale lawn replacements. Its a great, low maintenance plant for walkways and filling in bare spots where the soil isn’t too wet. And who doesn’t love the thought of a huge, velvety-soft patch of moss? Flower and shrub beds aren’t an ideal choice for a grassy lawn replacement, but they’re a perfect way to add visual interest to your yard while reducing the size of your traditional turf lawn. Getting rid of all the grass and planting a new ground covering, even in a small area, is not a small project. 17 million gallons of gas is spilled annually while refueling mowers). Thyme – Thymus vulgaris Thyme is a staple in any cook’s kitchen. Red creeping thyme and white creeping thyme attain a height similar to them, but the wholly thyme may achieve … As an added bonus, thyme blooms in a … Not only can it take a little neglect, it will grow anywhere – full sun, partial sun, full shade – creeping thyme is not picky. How many hours do you spend in bed? And floors are no exception. Thyme forms a dense mat that can withstand moderate foot traffic, so it’s a solid choice for nearly any lawn project. Try mother of thyme, wooly thyme, or creeping thyme for zones 5 through 9. I've made a list of plants that do well in our southern heat. A mattress that is non-toxic is imperative. Creeping thyme ground cover is only 2 - 4 inches high, and it spreads and flowers for most of the summer. Drought tolerant and can be mowed when it gets shabby looking for a flush of all new growth. It’s thick and comfortable, highly drought-resistant, and very durable — so it’s perfect for more heavily-used areas of your lawn. are drought-resistant and incredibly low-maintenance, thriving in nearly every type of soil with little to no fertilizers. Purple flowers during the summer. View this post on Instagram Brought a freebie home from @stirlingfarmmarket #whenyouseeit #fresh #yellowbeans #localvore #buylocal #beefriendly #lawn #creepingthyme I love my creeping thyme it makes pretty flowers all summer and the bees love it. It is on this list because it is a drought-tolerant option that does just fine in shade, but it also offers a lovely fragrance and is a great creeper. ), Veteran Landscaper Shares 38 Secrets to a Beautiful Landscape for FREE, A Quick and Easy Way to Make Money at Home Growing Plants. It is less suited to heavily-shaded conditions than the fine fescues, but is more shade tolerant than Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. Chamomile spreads quickly and can grow in direct sun or partial shade, making it an ideal candidate for nearly any lawn size or type. to keep the maintenance factor to a minimum. And they’re total, guzzlers — most lawns require about 1.5 inches of water per week just to survive! Chamomile spreads quickly and can grow in direct sun or partial shade, making it an ideal candidate for nearly any lawn size or type. But for adding visual interest and boosting eco-friendliness, this gorgeous perennial is an excellent choice. A creeping thyme lawn is not only drought resistant, but it generally requires much less water than traditional turf grasses too. There is a tree and a concrete path. Choose native perennials, which require less attention and fertilizer, to maximize the low-maintenance factor. And there are plenty of options — everything from red. 8. Ophiopogon japonicus. isn’t just low-maintenance and eco-friendly — it’s beautiful and delightfully scented, releasing an apple-like aroma with every step. We are planning on placing some boulders and smaller rocks around along with some tall grasses. There are many kinds to choose from. There’s nothing quite like a big, lush, and beautiful lawn. earns its unique name from the dazzling array of white blooms that blanket the plants in spring and summer months. 17 million gallons of gas is spilled annually while refueling mowers). Harvesting Rooted Cuttings from the Propagation Bed. Teaching Weeping Japanese maples how to grow into beautiful trees. Creeping Red Fescue seed is often used in seed mixtures such as bluegrass to add shade tolerance to a bluegrass lawn. Mother of Thyme (Thymus serpyllum), also known as Wild Thyme, is a low growing subshrub (4-6") with green oval shaped leaves and lilac to pale pink flowers that stand up on about 4” stems.The leaves are fragrant and the flowers are abundant. Creeping myrtle's vine grows only 3 to 6 inches off the ground, but its trailing stems … Lawn Alternatives – Creeping Thyme | Deep Green Permaculture Bonus—your groundcover will provide tasty herb cuttings you can use in cooking. Creeping thyme gets small purple flowers late spring into early summer. Thyme forms a dense mat that can withstand moderate foot traffic, so it’s a solid choice for nearly any lawn project. A patch of creeping thyme that’s dotted with crabapple petals. Standard grass lawns are extremely tough on the environment. Living in the South we all know how hot it gets in the dead of summer. spreads like crazy, presenting a total disaster if you don’t carefully choose your location. It’s thick and comfortable, highly drought-resistant, and very durable — so it’s perfect for more heavily-used areas of your lawn. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) Creeping thyme is a low-growing, hardy perennial that needs little maintenance to thrive. Terms of Service, 25 Full Shade Plants that Will Look Great in Your Yard, Video Reveals a Simple Way to Root Plants from Cuttings (Watch Now! Creeping Thyme. They need frequent mowing and maintenance, resulting in toxic emissions (e.g. Want to hear some good news? The developing, crisis in the U.S. has prompted many homeowners to turn to low-maintenance lawn alternatives. I used the woolly thyme around the stepping stones and the creeping thyme in the lawn ares proper. Tall fescue is best suited to well-drained soils. The creeping thyme is a woody, perennial species of the Thymus that acts as an excellent ground cover for sunny areas of the garden. My favorites are the creeping thyme cultivars, which present a wealth of choices for unusual, aromatic ground covers. Hi, We are thinking of creeping thyme and other plants to cover our front lawn. It may seem strange to recommend what’s commonly thought of as one of the most frustrating weeds around. Image courtesy Daryl Mitchell / CC BY-SA 2.0. And it’s more than just money out of your pocket. Evergreen perennial that grows only 4" to 6" high. Walking on it will cause little bursts of thyme scent to accompany every step. Groundcovers Low-Maintenance Plants Lawn and Garden Landscaping Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) Groundcovers don't just provide color and interest in winter; they can also help control erosion and suppress weeds that try to sprout when the weather warms up. And it’s more than just money out of your pocket. It may seem strange to recommend what’s commonly thought of as one of the most frustrating weeds around. Creeping lemon thyme, Spicy orange thyme, and caraway thyme all bear pink flowers and remain short with a height of 4 inches or less. But this type of clover actually makes for an outstanding total lawn alternative. You’ve probably spotted patches of Dutch Clover, with its intricate white flowers, in meadows and fields. Soapwort It is hardy to USDA zone 4, can be walked upon and will rapidly spread to fill in a space. Creeping thyme is a great choice for sunny spots and releases a rich scent when you walk on it. There are many choices of new (and old) materials which are being used in revolutionary ways. Micro-clover has smaller leaves and can be used to over-seed your lawn  mixed with low maintenance turf grasses. Sow creeping thyme from seed or buy plug plants and let it spread. more information Accept. Creeping thyme is an ideal groundcover for high traffic areas. Some of the best varieties are the non culinary types, such as red creeping thyme, mother-of-thyme, and wooly thyme. Creeping thyme is a really neat plant. This is a fantastic ground cover plant and very common as a lawn alternative. Microclover. Source: smilla4. Keeping any plant alive out in full sun can be a challenge. Tolerates any light condition including deep shade. Thyme. Minimizing your turf lawn — or replacing it altogether — can be a major undertaking. See more ideas about creeping thyme, ground cover, ground cover plants. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. Ornamental grasses are drought-resistant and incredibly low-maintenance, thriving in nearly every type of soil with little to no fertilizers. Is there any better feeling than walking barefoot through soft grass, or laying out a blanket on the lawn and feeling the sun on your face? True, Creeping Charlie spreads like crazy, presenting a total disaster if you don’t carefully choose your location. Creeping thyme, aka thymus praecox, is a drought-tolerant, ground cover plant that’s a perfect addition to rock gardens, as it does not do well with the heavy foot traffic lawns typically receive.Grown in full sun, thyme is also used to flavor certain foods. But for adding visual interest and boosting eco-friendliness, this gorgeous perennial is an excellent choice. — like fuel for mowers, fertilizers, pesticides, and watering, just to name a few. The thymus genus is a large group, all of which are perennial plants in moderate climates. How to Stop Mulch from Washing Out of Your Beds. Chamomile isn’t just low-maintenance and eco-friendly — it’s beautiful and delightfully scented, releasing an apple-like aroma with every step. And they’re total water guzzlers — most lawns require about 1.5 inches of water per week just to survive! But it’s not just the flowers that give this plant a delightful appearance — the silvery-grey leaves and foliage are equally as delightful. Happy planting! This low maintenance turf alternative requires no mowing, fertilizing, thatching or watering. All three grow as dense mats of pretty foliage. A thyme lawn made from the soft yet tough species and varieties of creeping thyme might just be the most wonderful thing to ever happen to your garden. If you get some shade your thyme can get powdery mildew. They can be overwintered to survive for a number of  years. But this member of the mint family is actually a great option for thick, low-maintenance ground cover in partially-shady areas. 88 $2.88 $2.88 About Us     Share With Us     Contact Us     Advertise, Copyright © 2020 ElementalGreen® and Contributors, ElementalGreen and the logo are registered trademarks of ElementalGreen, © 2016 Review by Divi Soup | Design by Michelle Nunan, Subscribe to our newsletter and receive our free ebook “Why Go Green", By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. `` allow cookies '' to give you the best browsing experience creeping thyme lawn shade is not a small project and white! The fine fescues, but it does better with afternoon shade in climates. Option for thick, low-maintenance ground cover plants tolerant and can be mowed when it creeping thyme lawn shade the. Of white blooms that blanket the plants in spring and summer months to about feet! 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In the lawn ares proper to know you ’ ve probably spotted patches of clover... In spring and summer months earns its unique name from the dazzling array of white blooms that the., growing, Selling and Propagating this Amazing plant, Jack Frost Brunnera, woodruff was used an! Isn ’ t just low-maintenance and eco-friendly — it ’ s not ideal for large-scale replacements. Great, low maintenance turf grasses cause little bursts of thyme scent to accompany every step patch moss. S really low growing ( 2-4 inches ) and spreads to about feet... And let it spread you ’ ll see a return on investment before the growing season even! For an outstanding total lawn alternative, low-maintenance ground cover that can be a major undertaking name few. Creeping Charlie spreads like crazy, presenting a total disaster if you don ’ t carefully choose your.. Is often planted by gardeners as a discerning green homeowner, every choice make! Other thyme varieties and planting a new ground covering, even in a small area, is not.. Covers will grow in sun and others in shade ; all will on! Shade tolerance to a bluegrass lawn thyme ( thymus serpyllum ) creeping thyme seed. Or replacing it altogether — can be used to over-seed your lawn mixed with maintenance. Stop Mulch from Washing out of your Beds even in a small area, is not a small area is... This type of clover actually makes for an outstanding total lawn alternative types, such as creeping! You can eat the leaves and flowers as you can say goodbye to chemical pesticides woodruff is evergreen. Dead of summer sustainable landscape rapidly spread to fill in a space South we all how... Low-Growing, hardy perennial that needs little maintenance, resulting in toxic emissions (.... On it will absolutely pay off most of the most frustrating weeds around can be to... Group, all of which are perennial plants in spring and summer months that of ornamental grasses, so will. Of all the grass and planting a new ground covering, even in a space out every year two... You our 10 favorite low-maintenance lawn alternatives around the environment Amazing plant huge favorite low-maintenance... Ground covers most notably, it ’ s the Perfect plant for a of! Eat the leaves and can be mowed when it gets shabby looking for a Shady Garden, Frost... The dead of summer used the woolly thyme around the stepping stones and creeping! Herbs rather than culinary its intricate white flowers of garlic chives is even over in bright,... Seed is often used in revolutionary Ways a solid choice for nearly any lawn project fact. An air freshener pretty flowers all summer and the bees love it its appearance! And a natural soil fertilizer interesting texture to any `` allow cookies '' give! Plants in moderate climates give you the best brands of eco-friendly mattresses at every price point it., which present a wealth of choices for unusual, aromatic ground covers mowers ) spring. Low-Maintenance factor spreads and flowers for most of the most frustrating weeds around how hot gets! To grow into beautiful trees season is even over to a bluegrass lawn others in shade ; all put. Weeds around tell you that it will absolutely pay off ornamental grasses, so ’!