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Florida ground cover/ lawn replacement zone10

9 years ago

Hello-

I am looking to plant low ground cover to replace portions of lawn. We were considering sunshine minmosa but we were told it would die off every two to three years. I am looking for something that that looks uniform, flowers and can handle direct sun with minimal upkeep. Also I do not want to replant.

Was wandering if I can plant with patchy grass or do I need to kill it off first. We have both Bermuda and zoysia grass currently.

Thank you !

Comments (8)

regine_Z 10 Fl gw
9 years ago
I had the Sunshine Mimosa for a few years but took it out. It looked good in the summer but during the winter it was very sparse and the weeds would pop up between the runners. I put in some Alba Begonias in that area, time will tell if they do well.
My neighbor and I planted some Baby Sun Rose ( Aptenia Cordifolia) in our swale where it was hard for grass to grow. It's spreading slowly but we like it so far.
Perennial Peanut is another ground cover that you could use and you can mow it if necessary.
I would remove the grass but then I always do things the hard way. Someone else might have a better suggestion for you.
tomncath
9 years ago
Perennial peanut looks ratty in the winter dry season if not watered sufficiently. Asiatic jasmine will work well in shade or sun, but doesn't like heavy foot traffic any more than perennial peanut....

Tom

Tricolor in shade:
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If you already have St Augustine, it could be a matter of care. You should be watering deeply and infrequently. Deeply means 1 inch all at once every time you water. In your area the frequency would be on the order of once every 2-3 weeks. The morning fog really prolongs the moisture deep in the ground. Allowing the soil to dry out at the surface helps keep the dogs from tearing it up (so quickly). Mulch mow at the mower's highest setting. There is never any reason to mow lower than the highest setting. Fertilize 3x per year (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving). I use only organic fertilizer, specifically alfalfa pellets (rabbit chow, not horse cubes) or corn meal. Call the feed stores near you to check availability and price. I am surprised there is only one feed store in San Pedro, because they allow horses in Rolling Hills - or at least they used to. That would be the most likely place to have the various chow type feeds. The organics should help with the pee issues. Also spray the yard with molasses (3 ounces (minimum) per 1,000 square feet) to help keep the microbes stimulated and reproducing.
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I wouldn't dismiss artificial turf out of hand :-) The newer renditions are almost indistinguishable in appearance from real living turf, even with very close inspection. And as noted, there are some that are manufactured specifically with dogs in mind. There are few living groundcovers that hold up to frequent dog traffic as well as a lawn. And unlike lawns, pretty much any of them will take some time - generally at least a full growing season - before they fill in sufficiently to form a solid carpet. During that time, weeds will appear and they will continue to pop up sporadically - no living groundcover is completely weed suppressing. Crushed rock or gravel is an option, as are wood chips. As easily cleaned up as the rock but often available for free and depending on the wood involved, can be odor suppressing. And easier on those with delicate paws :-) All local dog parks have some combination of lawn/grass and wood chips. No rocks.
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tomncath
9 years ago
Green, in sun:
halfwaythere
9 years ago
I love my Dwarf Chenille ground cover. Soft on the feet and springs back when walked on. Those red fuzzies are adorable. I only have them in a year and they bloomed all winter, but it was a mild winter. I have no idea how long they will last. They do choke out the weeds. Occasionally I have to pull some. I simply cut out a spot with a scissor and plant something in between. They get along with my Bromeliads as you can see.
halfwaythere
9 years ago
closer
halfwaythere
9 years ago
even closer
michaelz9
9 years ago
Halfway, I love the look of that dwarf chenille in that bed. Is that in full sun or part shade? How difficult is that to keep trimmed back?
halfwaythere
9 years ago
michael z9 its a bit of both. The tall columns and palms you cant see provide shade but a lot of it gets no shade here in Ft. Lauderdale area. It does well!

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