Shape Landscaping Have Interesting Options for Planting Lawns

For those of us looking to plant a lawn this summer, but who want a change from grass, the Shape Landscaping team say that lawns don’t have to be boring, explaining that there is a great range of interesting options out there. 

 

We are lucky in New Zealand that we have many different alternatives to lawn. Therefore, for those of us struggling with our lawn, or with areas that are difficult to mow, options such as Selliera, Thyme and Pratia are the perfect solution. These alternatives to grass provide great texture, beautiful flowers and a gorgeous fragrance along with the bonus of not having to mow them. What more could we ask for?

 

Selliera radicans, commonly known as remuremu or swampweed, is a creeping, herbaceous plant species with bright green foliage native to our country. It is a springy and bouncy plant and has a great little white scented flower in summer. Because it’s such a springy plant, if you occasionally drive over it, it will simply bounce back.  Selleria can grow in as little as 5cm of soil and in some patches around you home this may be all some people have, making Selleria the perfect solution. Selleria establishes quickly, and as a bonus if weeds pop up through it seawater can be used and a watering can to kill the weeds!   

 

Pratia angulata is another ground cover that is perfect for use as a lawn alternative. Pratia is a frost hardy native creeper with wide rounded deep green leaves. It grows to about 2cm high, establishes really quickly and can tolerate wet and dry conditions along with full sun or part shade. In spring white starry flowers with purple veins appear, followed in autumn with reddish-purple fruit. 

 

If you’re looking for something different, Thyme is a real classic. The natural fragrance smells amazing, and it feels great underfoot. Unlike the Selliera and Pratia native plants, Thyme prefers well-drained soil, and can be planted in places with full sun, through to light shade. 

 

If you don’t feel like planting out your ground covers yourself, Shape Landscaping can do this for you. They have a multi-talented team that can provide landscape design and project management, along with construction and planting, and are based in Auckland, operating Auckland wide. You can find out more information, and view some of their past work at http://www.shapelandscaping.co.nz or get in contact by emailing office@shapelandscaping.co.nz.