The Future of the American Lawn

A native alternative to turf, Schizachyrium scoparium, Little Bluestem. Photo by Heather Rosenfeldt.

The suburban lawn has long been as much a signature token of the American landscape as the white picket fence and the family dog. The maintenance of a lush lawn has historically been a sign of success and even a demonstration of civic responsibility. Now, in the face of growing environmental awareness, this long-standing American tradition is losing popularity. Americans are recognizing the high maintenance costs and resource use that lawns require. At the same time, there is a growing interest in a wilder, more natural planting aesthetic that is influencing many to find native lawn alternatives or to do away with lawn altogether.

Refugia frequently works with clients who wish to reduce the amount of lawn and increase the diversity of plantings on their property. For those who desire to maintain the traditional turf look, we also offer the option to replace conventional lawn grass with a native, “no-mow” alternative, which requires far less time and resources to maintain.

Recently, The Atlantic highlighted this changing American attitude toward the lawn in their insightful article, “The Life and Death of the American Lawn.”

Read the full article here at:

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/08/the-american-lawn-a-eulogy/402745/