Once established, they require very little maintenance and have great appeal to the gardener tired of mowing grass. Seasonal blooms and interesting, vibrant fall colors give you an exciting, ever-changing landscape. Many native ground covers thrive in shady areas, receiving less than ideal light. In the Chesapeake Bay watershed, they adapt to variable weather conditions, including extremes. Under deciduous trees in a woodland shade garden and even on the north or east side of the house, these hardy ground covers feature distinctive leaf shapes and good resistance to pests.
Vegetable gardens do more than replace lawn areas.
They provide home-grown produce for your dinner table. In areas close to the house, consider replacing some lawn areas with a water garden. Splashing water produces a much-needed respite on a hot day for songbirds that find the sounds and cool surface irresistible. A small wooden barrel or even a plastic tub brings life to a colony of water lilies, complete with small fish or maybe a frog or two. Once you see how water attracts wildlife, you find yourself experimenting with several containers to create a wildlife sanctuary right at home.