I’ve exhausted search engine results and am looking for input based on my specific needs.
I recently started renting a townhouse with a medium-sized yard that has an ~15x24’ area of compacted soil that gets full afternoon and evening sun (west facing) in the 8b zone.
The landlord has given permission to do whatever so I’m trying to find options that suit me and my low budget. I’d rather not invest too heavily in someone else’s property but I also have to live here and want it to look and feel nice. I’m also expected to handle yard tending duties which I’d rather do myself than hire landscaping services.
Requirements:
-people and dog friendly
-not grass
-does not attract pests
-something one person with a small car can do
-low maintenance (I like gardening, I’m just realistic about my time commitments)
-low watering needs
I would like to throw in two 4x4’ raised bed boxes which would take care of the biggest ugly bald spot in the yard, but that’s up in the air still.
Would love your ideas!
Thyme. Get a couple 4” pots and in a year you will have %300 growth. I have a creeping thyme , lemon thyme, and a mystery larger leafed thyme growing in large pots and though some of my beds in Michigan. Does really well in full sun. Doesn’t mind part shade. Animals don’t touch it because of the heavy scent. I’ve used it between flagstones in paths (Landscape Designer) and in Texas have seen it used for light walking traffic.
Over winter pay leaves stay on and get a dark green/reddish hue. They aren’t evergreen but without agitation tend to keep their leaves on. After awhile the stems tend to build up and create a low thicket like structure.
Other options are spreading sedums like Angelina mixed with other ground covers like creeping Jenny, wandering jew, wild violas/violets, frog fruit. My personally favorites in Texas were native sedge grasses (you mow them once a year to spread the seed tips.) Some great Sedge growers/researchers in Oklahoma region.
If you don’t go with an evergreen type plant, people tend to be concerned about tracking mud in over winter and early spring. Try to mix several ground cover plants in (violas and violets are winter growers in the south, sedge grows year long, some ground covers are fast spring growers. Mix and match where you can.)
Also lyre leaf sage is a great spreader in woodland edge type environments. Native to the south. Does fantastic in part shade. Spreads like wildflower. Can be walked on. Blooms a nice blue color. Weed whip it when it’s finished blooming in the spring.
Thank you for all these. I hesitated on thyme because it seemed slow scattering a few plants and but I’m mistaken. I like the idea of combination of types, too.
If you reside in the south, check out Texas Smartscapes. I haven’t looked at it in awhile but they had a lot of southern nurseries working together to provide good research on native and low maintenance plants of all types. Would provide resources for your climate zone if you’re not in the US.