Susanka, 580 million gallons of gasoline are used by American lawnmowers each year (I read somewhere ;o). I can get in trouble here because I don't know much about landscaping but native plants might be a "natural" choice for a planted groundcover. They can prevent erosion on slopes and tend to be more resistant to insect, drought, and weather damage. Skybird's woolly thyme fits the bill. If you have trees and taller shrubs, kinnikinnick (bearberry, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) may be good in the part shade/shade areas. Your wind issues make me think of fire hazards. There's a link below for landscaping choices listed by Colorado State U as "fire wise." Some may be very appropriate for your groundcover needs, as well, and there's a link on the CSU page for Grass Seed Mixes with native species choices to reduce both fire danger and mowing. Steve Here is a link that might be useful: FireWise Plants

I would say go ahead and leave it there and decorate to do the blending rather than destroying the furniture..you said you have white and sage, well some beautiful white and sage pieces of dish or glassware would really tie in the dry sink, also you gotta use a few plants to soften, choose some with a soft sagey green ..if there is sun maybe a rosemary or sage plant would be nice? Boston Fern. some of that antique green glass and milk glass together would really tie it in lovely, or even the green depression glass..but green will need something behind it so it doesn't fade into the wood if it is clear, the antique green glass and milk glass wouldn't as it is bright enough to stand on it's own. plants would look nice in verdigres copper pot covers. also maybe a plant that has a white flower..(green and white) also you would do well to add a third colord to your color scheme as you have two cool colors (green and white) a warm color would help to warm it up..which would incude the color of your wood and your brick. Terra cotta pots would match your brick bringing them over to the drysink and wooden boxes, spoons, plates, etc would bring the wood around the kitchen..and tie in the sink. what type of dining furniture do you have..that could also tie the sink in if you use wood there.. I think what i'm seeing is a large white platter maybe as a backdrop on the dry sink, with a plant on a corner hanging over the edge, and some sage green and white accessories, a white porcelain rabbit figure? White cannister set or green cannister set?

I think I can get the gist of the "pattern" you're describing, the grass growing up through the vent openings. Sounds interesting, we'll all just have to wait for pics. Sal

There is no easy solution. That vent is in a weird place, and would normally be much closer to the wall. You can fold the rug under at the other end so that the edge we're seeing in your photo lies flat and stops at the vent, or you can be grateful it's from Amazon and send it back.