Native grass lawn

We probably got our penchant for lawns and nature strips that rival a bowling green as a hangover from early settler days when the English aristocracy arrived and wanted to emulate their sweeping green landscaped lawn tended to by a phalanx of gardeners. If we stop and think about that, it is the antithesis of the Australian landscape.

Credit: Open Art & Sydney Morning Herald

The ‘English’ lawn is (usually) fertilizer-hungry, weed-prone, thirsty, invasive and a virtual biological wasteland. It is hard to understand why we have grown up caring so dutifully for our lawns with fertilizer, water, weedicide, etc. just so that at the weekend we can get the mower out, make it look like a golf-green for a few days, then do it all again a week later. And, don’t get me started on the synthetic petro-chemical lawns that are beginning to appear!

There are some native grasses that are very worthy lawn substitutes.

Native grasses are adapted to our climate and soils. Often, native grasses are drought tolerant and they certainly require less watering. Usually they are hardy and require much less maintenance. You might have to forgo the bowling green look however. Some species have coloured foliage. Some have attractive seed heads and flowers. Native grasses look great with patches of native wildflowers amongst them.

Kangaroo Grass, Themeda triandra, is a widespread native grass that tolerates a variety of climates and soils and is particularly drought-tolerant. The seed heads are a favourite food of finches and other seed eating birds. Kangaroo Grass can get to 90cm tall and is not especially suited for traffic areas – great for nature strips. Can be mown to about 4-5cm a couple of times per year.

Weeping Grass, Microlaena stipoides, is probably the best native grass for maintaining the appearance of a traditional close-cropped lawn. It grows well in this district, doesn’t mind full sun or partial shade and is happy to grow under trees. Weeping Grass is a fantastic host for a variety of butterfly larvae.

Credit: Plant Tiles Australia

Kidney Grass, Dichondra repens, was once called Kidney Weed but I think the horticulturists discovered the name proved to be off-putting. It has a ground-hugging, mat-forming habit and is suitable for low-traffic areas. Kidney Grass is often used in conjunction with pavers or mulch paths for foot traffic. Rarely needs mowing.

Other species to investigate include Bothriochloa macra, Festuca sp, Lomandra sp, Viola hederacea, Pultenaea sp …

The Baw Baw Shire website has a link to a list of ‘approved’ plantings for nature strips that you might find interesting.

Out with the lawn – in with the grasses (and the wildflowers, ground covers, orchids …)