{"id":38752,"date":"2023-06-12T15:32:39","date_gmt":"2023-06-12T19:32:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=38752"},"modified":"2023-06-12T15:42:49","modified_gmt":"2023-06-12T19:42:49","slug":"native-plant-profile-the-latest-for-lawn-lovers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2023\/06\/12\/native-plant-profile-the-latest-for-lawn-lovers\/","title":{"rendered":"Native Plant Profile: The Latest for Lawn Lovers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Eastern cottontail rabbit by Alec Haskard<\/p><\/div>\n

Perhaps one of the most common criticisms of the movement to fill our properties with native trees and gardens is that people miss lawns! There is something pleasing about the vista of a green lawn, or the smell of <\/span>mowed<\/span><\/a> grass in the summertime\u2026 Still, the benefits of <\/span>replacing your lawn<\/span><\/a> with more beneficial plantings cannot be denied. <\/span><\/p>\n

At the Wildlife and Heritage Service, we get questions all year round about what species to use that can be mowed, walked on, or at very least stay small and preserve an open view as lawns do. Options include <\/span>groundcovers<\/span><\/a>, ornamental or <\/span>warm season grasses<\/span><\/a>, establishing a wildflower <\/span>meadow<\/span><\/a>, or creating additional garden bed space. This question is clearly a hot topic for other gardeners nationwide; a recent research project at the <\/span>Mt. Cuba Center<\/span><\/a> specifically evaluated <\/span>Carex<\/span><\/i> species (a genus of grass-like perennials plants) for potential as lawn replacements. Their 4-year trial evaluated the qualities, survival, and adaptability of 70 different <\/span>Carex<\/span><\/i> species. They even considered cultivars (a plant variety that has been produced by selective breeding for a preferred characteristic), which has long been a subject of curiosity amongst gardeners. Similar to independent testing done for consumer ratings and reviews on appliances, they gave each species a number score. Plants were tested for performance metrics like how they held up with frequent mowing, aesthetic appearance, and how soft they felt under your feet (see pg. 20, <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>!). Still, will it hold up to a team of kids playing soccer? Stay tuned; their future research will assess how native <\/span>Carex<\/span><\/i> species perform with heavy foot traffic.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Big bluestem grasses at Soldiers Delight by Laura Van Scoyoc<\/p><\/div>\n

Tackling lawn replacement is a big project that can feel overwhelming. If you\u2019re considering taking it on, remember to take your soil and site condition into careful consideration, and always start small. Summer is a great time to look around your property and neighboring areas for what native species already like it there, plus gather ideas and research in preparation for the next planting seasons. Fortunately there are numerous resources out there to help! In addition to the links above, here are a few more:<\/span><\/p>\n