A Wee Bit O' Green to Cover Your Yard

Is there a more recognizable symbol of Ireland and St. Patrick's Day than the shamrock? This traditional bit o' green, used by St. Patrick to represent the Holy Trinity, always has three leaves, as opposed to the lucky four-leafed clover mutation (only 1 in 10,000 will have the four leaflets). Shamrocks are known to be either yellow or white clover, and the term is from the Irish word "seamróg," which translates to "little clover" or "young clover." Clover plant varieties can consist of two, three or four leaflets, all as part of one leaf. Long considered a weed that many homeowners want to rid their yards of as quickly as the dandelion, clover was at one time a well-used lawn plant, and it has seen a recent revival in popularity as an eco-friendly ground cover. Typically, the crimson or white clover varieties are utilized in lawn applications, depending on the region. Clover-covered lawns are relatively low maintenance and are known to attract pollinators with their fragrant blossoms. Clover is also resilient and can survive in drought conditions, keeping your lawn a thing of green-hued beauty with little water requirements. Additional pros of clover include: its ability to grow in poor soils and add nitrogen to the soil; its ability to naturally prevent other weeds; its assistance with erosion control in sloped areas; its soft texture; and its ability to resist the grass-killing effects of dog urine, as well as its safety for chew-crazy pets. However, clover lawns do have a few drawbacks to consider. They can be patchy in appearance and grow unevenly. Clover has a short lifespan and may need frequent reseeding, especially in high-traffic areas. Clover prefers sun and may not grow well in heavily shaded yards. It does attract bees, a deterrent for those with allergies, fears or small children. As far as the process of growing clover, it can take some time to become established, although once it does, it can spread quickly, making it potentially invasive. If you're on the hunt for other alternative lawn or ground cover ideas, there is no shortage of options. A ground cover is usually defined as a low-growing plant that can sustain the impact of being walked upon regularly. A few popular options (at least according to marthastewart.com) are sedum, creeping thyme, dichondra, Corsican mint and chamomile. The appeal of these ground covers is that they require less water, fertilizer, pesticides and care as opposed to traditional turf-grass lawns and can be used to add seasonal interest and curb appeal to one's yard. For those looking to ditch the mower completely, additional lawn alternatives can include: meadow lawns of native plants and wildflowers; moss lawns, sometimes paired with gravel or pavers; herb gardens and edible forests; artificial turf (more popular in the southern regions of the U.S.); and carex, also known as sedge. As homeowners seek out new ways to promote sustainability and biodiversity in their yards while also easing the need for constant care, we're sure to see new lawn ideas "sprouting up" all over the country, and even the world. In fact, researchers at the University of Maryland, as well as across the pond in England, are currently trying to create new lower-growing and lawn-friendly varieties of microclovers. To learn more about New England-specific ground cover options and their growing needs, as well as how to get started with making the change over to an alternative lawn, you can find a great University of Connecticut article on the topic at ipm.cahnr.uconn.edu/alternative-lawn-options-for-new-england-landscapes. Does a backyard full of shamrocks and (at least a few) hard-to-find four-leaf clovers sound appealing? Maybe this is the sign that your luck is about to change!