This summer in MN has been a perpetual challenge with our onslaught of heat added to our lack of rain. There are those plants that thrive on that late summer arid weather. Our issue is that they never had time to lay down good roots and are now struggling to survive. New infant trees along boulevards have given up the ghost if planted in the last 2-3 years and they don't have a helpful neighbor to soak roots. Poor varieties like hydrangea and zinnias are drooping by days end and a single day without watering is deadly. My River Birch has been shedding leaves all summer as if it were October and the cherries on the tree were bountiful, if not shabby and small because they could not plumpen up. I suppose the one perk is that this will be known as the year without Mosquitos. The long hot spell killed off eggs and also dried up any mud holes where they would have been breeding. Just this week I was out on a deck with friends and not a single one threatened.
I would have to say, the worst victim of the drought has been the lawn. For years I had carefully weeded and planted new grass early in the spring so it became a canvas of soft green for the dogs and me. There is no way to keep up this year and it has become matted gold straw. I think my watering has kept roots alive and some spots will bounce back over a year. But there are large patches that are literal toast.
It is making me ponder; What Alteratives are out there? I have no intention of a major landscape project where it is all replaced. But months back, I found an article that at least asks questions of what can make an urban yard.
The answer does not have to be more plots of perennials and flowers. There are other turf options like mosses, sedges and tall grasses. They come in palettes of green but have deeper root systems that can sustain these droughts and are also less burdensome for watering and run off. I think many in my generation were raised with the model of a perfect green oasis and anything else was considered weeds.
Now homeowners are angling for lawns of micro or white clover. This gives a blanket of soft coverage for pollinators.
I have always thought that Sedge was an evil term and would take over a healthy lawn. But there are desired species like Pennsylvania Sedge which does well in wet, well drained areas. What makes it ideal, is its low growing aspect of only reaching 6 inches which means less frequent mowings. It is also know to host some caterpillar species. There are also cluster sedge which are planted in small tufts of green. The downside to this choice, is they are slow to expand, can be expensive for plugs and also do not do well with heavy foot traffic.
Something I had not considered is Moss. I have one large area under the River Birch that is mostly shade and struggles to steal any water from the tree roots. It is patchy as best. Moss can be bought in mats and basically just rolled out for coverage. They are color choices, some can tolerate sun and they create a great infiltration system. Birds and insects love them as well.
On top of these options, there are the tall perennial Prairie varieties that have been garnering attention for the last 4-5 years. They are certainly not lawns, but slow growing clumps of grass that usually yield great color and textures come end of the season. I have read some suggestions of low growing shrubs that are not lawns, but neither are they full grown bushes. They could swap in for borders and edging. Some are bear-berries, junipers, blueberries and winter-berries.
Be mindful, that none of these are a simple drag and drop. All cases will involve removing the grass lawn that is there and starting with a bare surface. And also allowing for a heavy planting and then allowing time to bring it to fruition. But I have to admit I am considering some shape shifting here and possibly starting with small sections in a creative way that allows for some expansion. I have a small simple yard, but as I have gradually taken over space with garden and boulevard plots, maybe it is time to open myself up to new options. I'll let you know in a year or two. But all things considered....
