Passing endless front lawns of boring, monotonous, somewhat uniform green grass, my spirits drop as a sense of dystopia and depression overtakes me. These lawns provide nothing for our ecology or our economy. The lawn industry—it’s a real thing!—perpetuates a culture of green, manicured lawns. But the grass commonly used in lawns, known as tall fescue, isn’t even native to California. In fact, it was originally imported from Europe in the 1800s. Non-native grasses are less drought tolerant and don’t promote the health of native California species. So what can we do instead of falling into the trap of the freshly cut, shining green, blades of blandness? We can grow native lawns that promote Californian wildlife and reduce water usage!
A fitting alternative to classic tall fescue, Californian Fescue sports blue-ish green leaves and requires much less water. For a wild feel, consider planting Meadow Barley, which is easy to establish and whose seeds can provide food for small wildlife, essential to the Californian ecosystem. Other good native grass options include Pacific Reedgrass, Blue Wild Rye, and California Gray Rush. All of these grasses can be used in combination with each other, as ornamental grasses, or as part of a larger spread, more like a traditional lawn. They provide unique color, use less water, and support the natural ecology of your environment!
Personally, I prefer lawns that include pops of color, rather than a simple flat green carpet. Instead of resorting to basic annuals that often die after only a few years, continue promoting our state’s biodiversity by planting native pollinator plants that provide attractive flowers for birds, bees, and butterflies! Dorr’s Sage brings heat-resistant, beautiful purple stalks that native bees love. For a complimentary yellow pop of color, look into planting some Cascade Creek goldenrod. To attract hummingbirds, look for urn-shaped flowers, specifically with red colors. Referred to as one of the most beautiful native Californian plants by early botanists, the Fuschia-Flowered Gooseberry provides the exact type of flower these fluttering flyers look for. When gardening for butterflies, try to include plants with clusters of flowers, which allow butterflies to sip nectar from multiple sources without expending more energy to travel between. Seaside Daisies, Yarrow, and Golden Aster all fit this criteria and will provide some beautiful color along with a place for pollinators to rest. In addition, milkweeds and salvias always provide a reliable source of nectar for all pollinators.
When planning for the future of our environment, we must protect the pollinators and wildlife which provide the basis of all other functions of life. These plants, and many others mentioned, are a perfect way to directly help the native ecosystem surrounding us all. By planting ecologically conscious lawns filled with beautiful native wildlife, we can improve the aesthetics of our lawns and the quality of our environment! It’s a win-win!