Still Great Lawn Alternatives
By Jeff Graham, ASLA
While rains have left our region looking lusher and more refreshed than they have in years, one thing is certain: here in Southern California the welcome reprieve will only be temporary. With our Mediterranean climate we must look to plantings that can take advantage of the hot, dry summers. Succulents, native grasses, evergreens, and fruit trees such as olives, figs, walnuts and grapes almost always do well. But what about the lush green lawns, for which Los Angeles has become famous? They’re not exactly climate-appropriate. So what is a suitable alternative? As landscape architects, we are inspired by the biodiversity that a living landscape can provide. What we don’t want to see is artificial turf.
Artificial turf enjoyed a surprising resurgence in popularity as an alternative to water-thirsty lawns. However, synthetic turf is often composed of recycled tires and polypropylene. A Yale University study found 11 chemicals used in these materials are likely to be carcinogenic, while 20 are skin, eye and respiratory irritants. Additionally, the surface temperature of artificial turf on a 98-degree day can reach 170 degrees—which is hotter than asphalt. This “heat island” can increase energy costs, and damage adjacent plants and trees.
We’ve employed two types of natural alternatives to high-water lawns. At the Richard Neutra-designed Hafley House we installed Native Bentgrass (pictured above). This medium leaf sod thrives in full sun and partial shade, is drought tolerant, and its strong sod mat provides an effective weed barrier. The texture and bright color of the Native Bentgrass at the Hafley House (pictured above) provides a nice contrast.
At the historic Hindry House in Pasadena, we opted for something different: Native Mow Free sod, a versatile grass that is beautiful either as a traditional turf lawn or as a short meadow grass, reaching 18.” It’s a mixture of Festuca rubra (Molate fescue), Festuca idahoensis (Idaho fescue), and Festuca occidentalis (Western Mokelumne fescue).
Selected it for its reputed shade and cold tolerance (said to be greater than Native Bentgrass), it does well in full sun, and can endure light foot traffic. While it’s a slow grower, if you do decide to mow it, cut no shorter than 4.”
Once it’s established, Native Mow Free should require half of the water that sod typically demands. And if it turns to a straw-like color in the summer, low supplemental water will bring back its deep green hue.
Gagnier Landscape, the contractor (who sourced the sod from Soils Solutions in Los Angeles and through the grower Delta Bluegrass), did a great installation. LGLA is excited to continue watching how this grass transforms through the coming months.