Re: Lawn replacement ideas


On Oct 19, 2004, at 7:42 AM, Karl Hoover wrote:

In my climate in Northern California, perhaps a
little bit cooler than there, Phylla nodiflora
grows with very little summer water. It is
covering an area southwest of my house with very
sunny exposure. It will grow quite tall but you
can mow it also.

Ice plants like Drosanthemum and Aptenia are
pretty and do well here, too, but you can't walk
on them.

I have tried Bermuda grass: Cynodon dactylon but
I greatly reget it. It is too invasive.

+++++-----------------------
I have a hybrid Bermuda called Tiff-Green on my front lawn. I'm told it's used for golf-greens.
It is very mildly invasive. I would say it is mostly controllable. It forms a dense thatch and is wonderful for abused play areas. I have heard it said it will grow under a child's swing! If unmmedit-plants@ucdavis.eduowed it will get maybe up to 6 inches in height.
The downside might be that one has to de-thatch it at times.
But kids can fall on it while playing and not get hurt.
Here in San Luis Obispo it grows between about March and September, then it stops growing. The trick is to mow it very high by the end of summer and it should stay green all year. If you mow it low in September you will cut off the green and it won't be replaced until the next spring.
---Chas---
///////////////////////////////////// ***********************---------------------- 

I also have some blue ornamental fescue and some
lemon grass. They are quite happy.

I don't have suggestions for the shady areas.







--- marianoo@wanadoo.es wrote:

Hi,

I am gradually reducing my grassed areas and
hopefully my water
bills!!

I have 2 small areas which are impossible to
keep in good condition.
One area is close to the pool and I was
thinking of keeping to just 1
or 2 differnent plants - must look good
especially during the Summer
months.  I have lots of the usual Med. plants
so I am looking for some
new ideas up to a metre in height.

The 2nd area also gets full sun and has a large
carob tree closeby.  I
was thinking along the line of a bed of
Bulbines (sp?) with maybe some
taller grey or dark foliaged plants.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions,
Maria

Summer temps 35ºC+
Winter - rarely drops below 0ºC





		
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