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Monday - October 26, 2009
From: PORTAGE, MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Turf
Title: Small perennials & grasses for a naturalized lawn
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
I am looking for native perennials and grasses that will grow no more than 8 inches tall that can be used in a naturalized lawn in Michigan. What 5 plants would be your first choice?ANSWER:
That is a very tall order ... because most suitable plants would be much taller as they are prairie plants. But here are few selected from our Recommended Species list.
Some of them are woodland plants which may not thirive if your lawn is too sunny and dry. If you click on the link and do the search, you may find plants who have shorter relatives in the nurseries. You may also have some luck if you search out rock garden plants.
Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge)
Cornus canadensis (bunchberry dogwood)
Dalea purpurea (purple prairie clover)
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