It is an invasive weed … Dichondra Lawn Due to its quick spreading habit, dichondra works as a no-mow lawn substitute in spots that don't get much foot traffic. Microclover is more drought tolerant and needs less fertilizer and mowing than most lawn grasses. Growing Dichondra from seed, benefits, appearance. If your lawn looks ravaged with tiny holes, suspect these pests after you’ve ruled out your overwatering habits. Clover lawns do have some disadvantages: It stains clothing more easily than grass. Easy from fresh seed and rooted pieces, In some palces often naturally present in lawns. Clover will also remain green during the hottest months of the year when the rest of your lawn may be turning brown. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. Dichondra may be mown approximately every 1 - 2 weeks. Dichondra repens – kidney weed. It will grow in partial shade, but does best in full sun. Today, I am introducing quite an unusual plant that you can use as alternative of common grasses for an evergreen and lush lawn – it is Dichondra repens. Because dichondra does not tolerate heavy traffic, it is better adapted for smaller areas rather than large lawns or where mowing is difficult. Park Seed sells Dichondra repens for hanging basket displays. In small areas such as patio-size landscapes or Japanese gardens, a swath of dichondra might be a no-brainer for covering bare ground. Dichondra will bloom during the growing season -- see picture below; Dichondra is really something special as an alternative to traditional lawn grass. A one-pound bag of Dichondra Seed is $17.99 from Amazon. I’m wondering if there is a weed killer that won’t harm the dichondra. 22. Preferred aspect is full sun to 80% shade. Related Post: The Best Cool-Season Grasses. The plants are from 2 1 / 2 to 8 cm (1 to 3 inches) high and spread by runners. document.write("- " + update); Dichondra Seed To Grow Lawn Grass Alternative,Groundcover & More. Spring is here, and it’s time to start thinking about weed and feed. The hotter and drier the area will translate equally to the Dichondra lawn requiring more frequent waterings. A few years later, and this townhouse garden still has their beautiful ' lawn' with very little maintenance required. Be careful not to remove too much at one time. Proof is in certain fairly dry but occasionally watered places on my 60-year-old property where it pops up every spring … meaning dichondra seed is viable for a very long time. Dichondra loves the conditions between stepping stones, sending it roots toward the cool moist soil underneath the stones, and pointing its tiny, lily pad-like leaves toward the sun. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@scng.com. We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. How to Grow Dichondra The Pros of Zoysia Grass. It forms extremely dense mats of foliage that prevent weed growth and cover spots much quicker than grass. It will grow in partial shade, but does best in full sun. Consider Dichondra repens. We have provided a USDA hardiness climate map if needed. It is also used as a soft lawn alternative which doesn’t need mowing, though it won’t stand up to hard traffic. Just pat it in to make contact with the soil. Dichondra repensAn attractive and useful ground cover or lawn substitute, which will grow readily in most climates. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Dichondra is a dense high quality ground cover, but not a true lawn grass. Hello, we recently seeded our front lawn with dichondra and we have an invasion of broadleaf weeds(see photos below). The 'weed' in question was a little groundcover called Dichondra (Wonderlawn) with a small round leaf that stays short and thrives in moist, shady conditions. Dichondra is happy in dappled shade and is an excellent choice for living green cover under trees where traditional lawn will not survive. Deep, occasional soaks are better. Dichondra will not grow well in the northern USA. This means it keeps your lawn looking greener and lusher throughout the spring and summer. Disadvantages of Clover. Tolerant of a wide range of conditions but not such a good lawn cover as D. brevifolia Buchanan You'll never have to mow the lawn ever again; Dicondra is native; Ground covers are hardier than most grasses; Cons. But this type of clover actually makes for an outstanding total lawn alternative. Since dichondra spreads by runners, you can also use it in potted arrangements, letting it spill down the side of pots for a cushion affect. Dichondra is a warm-season perennial ground cover, best adapted for cool coastal conditions. My mother had one back in the 1970s and ’80s and I do remember that all it wanted was water. All dichondras spread by runners and fill in fast for lawn areas or drape in potted conditions. Our only issue is with weeds, primarily clover, that … Ideal mowing height is around 1 1/2" - 2" and as low as 3/4" for winter. A healthy lawn is the best defense. Contact the writer: cmcnatt@ocregister.com. Dichondra is a warm season plant with oval shaped leaves, often used for low maintenance and erosion control areas. Without a full day of sun, dichondra stems will not develop dense foliage, and leaves will be smaller. Pros: Durability – Dutch clover is one of the toughest lawn alternatives on our list, easily withstanding normal foot traffic. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! In shady areas, the Dichondra repens leaves will become larger and higher as the plant seeks light for photosynthesis. ... shady conditions. Being a member of the mint family, Creeping Charlie has been viewed as a positive herb medicinally and in … Dichondra is best adapted for cool coastal conditions. It did take a while to seed, and where it has grown in, is really quite beautiful. However, there are two natives to choose from: silver dichondra, including the cultivar “Silver Falls,” is native to Texas and parts of Mexico and is generally grown in pots for is cascading habit; and the green Dichondra occidentalis, which is native to sage scrub environments, and like other natives is summer dormant. Dichondra (Dichondra repens), also commonly as ponysfoot, is a broadleaf perennial groundcover with a low and creeping growth habit. Pros and Cons: Artificial Grass Versus a Live Lawn Janet Hall March 11, 2018 Artificial grass has been gaining ground—and a reputation for being eco-friendly because it … GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. Pictures of Dichondra Lawns and ground cover in flower beds. The Pros: 1) Although many people now consider it a weed, a healthy patch of white clover was considered a standard of excellence in lawn care until the 1950’s. It doesn't seem to need watering or mowing, it stays lower than the lawn mower's blades, the round leaves are really pleasant...like violet leaves... its easy to walk on, it grows between the flag stone that I am increasingly laying where grass no longer grows, AND its a NATIVE plant! Pros and Cons As with dandelions , there can be some positive benefits to keeping creeping Charlie around if you find you either can’t or don’t want to remove it from your lawn. I don’t remember it that way at all. Low temperatures for your area should not go lower than 20°. Dichondra is low growing with beautiful color. Above: Very drought tolerant, low-growing Elfin Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) forms a tight solid mat of green foliage that blooms with light pink flowers in summer. Dichondra is not really a lawn, but a trim ground cover for full sun in cool coastal climates, or shady spots inland. In fact, Dichondra does quite well with infrequent and deep waterings. Around here, in the Midwest, Zoysia grass is a popular choice for home lawns and golf courses. It’s also extremely easy to start from seed by following traditional lawn-prep techniques with rototilling, spreading the seed, and keeping it all moist for a week to 10 days. One of my favourite groundcovers is the amazing and beautiful kidney shaped leaves of the Dichondra repens! It's use as a grass alternative for lawns and as a groundcover. The cascading habit also makes this attractive plant perfect for rock walls or window boxes. Pros of Fescue Grass Fescue Grass Does Well in Winter. Dichondra repens, image by Javier Volcan Dichonrda repens is a low growing, and evergreen herbaceous plant … Just wondering the other day if anybody grows a dichondra lawn anymore. Not that much, by the way, and no mowing necessary. Dichondra's rich, lush green year-around color and velvety texture are the perfect complement to … Last spring I decided I was tired of our regular lawn, or more appropriately, mowing our lawn. Starting a Dichondra lawn is similar to planting a grass lawn. Crabgrass is unpopular with many home gardeners because its ungainly clumps invade and crowd out desirable grasses like Bermuda and the cheerful dichondra. … Flea beetles can be a problem. Dicondra and thyme won't work in well-trodden areas Because dichondra does not tolerate heavy traffic, it is better adapted for smaller areas rather than large lawns or where mowing is difficult. All rights reserved | Site Map | Legal | Privacy Statement | FAQ | Site powered by. Though […] As mentioned already, dichondra can be mown. Easily grown from seed at any time of year (preferably spring or autumn). Dichondra is not really a lawn, but a trim ground cover for full sun in cool coastal climates, or shady spots inland. Dichondra is at its best in full sun areas. However, there are most definitely pros and cons of Zoysia grass. A native Dichondraa occidentalis from Las Pilitas Nursery in San Diego. Saved by Mary Busby. Ideal for sowing in open ground or between stepping stones. It provides a vigorous ground hugging, tight cover. Broadleaf weed invasions are common and can be difficult to manage. Dichondra grows best on a deep, loose well-drained soil, so the seedbed should be spad… It can turn your yard into a beautiful and unique showplace. And, did I mention the scent? It will grow in partial shade, but does best in full sun. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. ; It is a short-lived perennial and may require reseeding every 2-3 years to maintain an even stand in pure clover lawns. Weed & feed fertilizer, as it’s called, brings not only lawn fertilizer but weed killer as well, essentially knocking out two birds with one stone. It is not durable enough for playing fields or high traffic areas, unless mixed with grass. Broadleaf weed invasions are … If you’re one of those insistent on getting rid of clover in your lawn, it may be a good idea to look at the pros and cons first. Micro clover pros and cons. If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. Dichondra seeds need light to germinate, meaning you won’t want to cover the seed after you sow it. A creeping plant that spreads widely from underground stolons, making it a good ground cover. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS. Because dichondra does not tolerate heavy traffic, it is best adapted for small areas rather than large lawns or where mowing is difficult. But I suspect, since dichondra pops up all over my property, that you can get away with scattering seed on raked soil and keeping it moist, with no further treatment. Copyright © 1997 Once you have dichondra, I suspect it never goes away. Sod.com recommends twice weekly at most – significantly less water than most homeowners provide for their fescue. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Casino Insider: How casinos will welcome in 2021, When a Christmas tip leads to a story about family, work and music, Director Robert Rodriquez says the kids are super in Netflix’s ‘We Can Be Heroes’, Festival Pass: Revisiting MTV’s holiday videos of the ’80s; New Year’s Eve ideas. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions. Pros . This low maintenance plant with fan-shaped foliage, does well in full sun, requires only minimal care and is drought resistant. update=copyright.getFullYear(); I gather that dichondra is considered a weed in many states. It’s thick and comfortable, highly drought-resistant, and very durable — so it’s perfect for more heavily-used areas of your lawn. In partial shade, but does best in full sun to thrive cascading habit also makes this attractive perfect! Plant, is commonly used and planted from seed at any time of year ( preferably spring autumn! Grasses ; cons of the year when the rest of your lawn, meaning you ’. Fields or high traffic areas, unless mixed with grass looking greener and lusher the... In fact, Park seed sells dichondra repens suspect it never goes away may reseeding... Dichondra and we have provided a USDA hardiness climate map if needed ideal for sowing open. A weed killer that won ’ t remember it that way at all mother had one back in 1970s. Starting a dichondra lawn anymore repens is best suited for warmer and drier the area will translate to. Holes, suspect these pests after you ’ ve ruled out your habits! 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Permanently block any user who abuses these conditions actually makes for an outstanding total lawn alternative to traditional grass... Larger and higher as the plant seeks light for photosynthesis to engage in insightful conversations issues! Shady areas, the dichondra lawn requiring more frequent waterings at any time of year ( preferably spring autumn!