A traditional lawn requires regular watering, mowing, and weeding, which is why more and more property owners are looking for a stylish and practical alternative. Eco-friendly, shade-tolerant, and low-maintenance groundcover plants have become the ideal solution for landscaping: they form a dense carpet, fill in empty spaces, and require almost no attention. The selection, which Styler shares with reference to expert materials from Martha Stewart, features five plants that can replace ordinary grass. Original Styler article.
Asian Jasmine: A Fast-Forming Carpet with Vibrant Foliage
This plant, with its small glossy leaves, forms a dense carpet that quickly fills in open areas in the yard. Designers recommend paying attention to the Salsa cultivar (with green, yellow, and orange leaves), Bronze Beauty, and Snow in Summer. Jasmine spreads quite actively after its third year of growth, but it is easy to control with monthly pruning, so it does not turn into an unmanageable mass.
Garden Geranium: Blooming Right Through Autumn
Unlike ordinary lawn grass, geranium delights with vibrant blooms. This perennial plant (not to be confused with the houseplant pelargonium) has an exceptionally long flowering period. Removing the first faded buds stimulates the emergence of new flowers right through autumn. Geranium's fragrant leaves are resistant to garden pests and attract beneficial pollinators, making it not only decorative but also beneficial for the property's ecosystem.
Wild Geranium (Geranium macrorrhizum): A Low-Maintenance Find for Shade
This elegant plant adapts to various climate zones and is considered a true find for shady areas. It reaches about 30 cm in height, spreads slowly, and does not take over extra space. In spring, the young leaves have a reddish tint, which transitions into noble rusty tones by autumn. All the care involves cutting back the old leaves in early spring.
Brunnera: Leaf Texture and Blue Flowers
It is often called a "forget-me-not" because of its small blue flowers, but brunnera's main value lies in its luxurious textured leaves. The plant grows in neat clumps that are easy to divide and transplant every few years. The only thing it needs is a fresh layer of organic mulch in spring and timely cutting back of spent stems.
Mimosa: Fluffy Pink Balls
The flowers of this plant resemble fluffy pink balls, and its leaves are very sensitive and amusingly fold up at a touch. Mimosa grows to 15–20 cm in height and can adorn any yard, creating a dense flowering carpet. It adds lightness and decorative appeal to the property during the warm season.
Frost Hardiness: What to Plant in the Open Ground
When choosing groundcover plants, always consider frost hardiness. For climates with cold winters, brunnera, garden geranium, and wild geranium are fail-safe options that overwinter beautifully in the open ground. Heat-loving species — Asian jasmine and mimosa — are best planted in wide containers so they can be moved indoors in autumn. This approach allows you to preserve the plants even in regions with harsh winters.
