What Can You Put in Your Front Yard Instead of Grass?

Annuals and Perennials

• Flowers are a wonderful alternative to grass and add curb appeal to your home. Annuals are plants that grow, flower, set seed and die in one growing season. Perennials come back from their own root system year after year. Annual plants are ideal for adding season-long color since most of these types of plants bloom nonstop once they begin right up until the first fall frost. There are some varieties of perennial plants, such as coneflower and phlox, that will bloom six weeks or longer, however most perennial plants do not bloom all season long. This means to have nonstop color in a perennial garden you need to grow a wide variety of perennials.

Edible Plants

• Edible plants may seem like a strange alternative to grass for a front yard, but there are many varieties of these useful plants that look quite decorative. Imagine a grapevine growing over the top of an arbor, or a row of white, black, purple and striped eggplants. Herbs, such as purple basil, add a burst of unexpected color to the garden. Don't forget about edible flowers such as roses, nasturtiums and violas. By selecting the right edible plants, it is possible to create an edible garden in your front yard that looks as good as the fruits, vegetables and edible flowers taste.

Woody Ornamentals

• Woody ornamentals such as trees and shrubs are a shady alternative to grass. Trees create shade and when they are properly placed, can help cool a home during the summer. Shrubs are ideal choices for creating borders. Both types of plants act as a windbreak. Trees and shrubs are good for the environment too. They absorb toxins and offer birds shelter. Some types of trees and shrubs are evergreen, some produce flowers or berries and others have colorful leaves. Consider the amount of space you have before selecting woody ornamentals for your front yard and choose ones that are appropriate for the amount of space you have.

Ground Covers

• Replacing the grass in your front yard with low-growing ground covers is another option. Many of these ground covers do not grow tall enough to require mowing. When selecting a ground cover, consider the amount of traffic and the type of traffic your front yard receives. Some ground covers are able to withstand dogs, kids and other types of heavy traffic. Other varieties of ground covers will not tolerate heavy traffic. Consider the mature height of the ground cover as well, especially if there are ordinances in your area that limit the height of the plant material in your front yard.