BLog

Two things can be true at once about traditional turf grass.

Yes, it offers some environmental value — erosion control, a bit of carbon sequestration, natural cooling. Those benefits are real. But it’s also high-maintenance, and that maintenance comes with a cost.

Beyond the time spent mowing, edging, and fertilizing, turf grass requires a lot of water. The chemical products needed to keep it green and even contribute to broader pollution issues. Add it all up — the time, the water, the fertilizer, the weekend hours — and your lawn becomes an expensive, high-maintenance patch of land.

It’s better than concrete. But it could be so much more.

Now imagine an equally lush lawn that requires significantly less water, fewer chemicals, and far less maintenance — all while providing greater ecological value to our local ecosystems. Alternative lawns are gaining traction, and with good reason. They’re beautiful, resilient, and they work with Minnesota’s climate instead of fighting it.

Sunnyside Gardens carries a broad range of alternative ground covers that are perfect for our Minnesota lawns. Here are five of our favorites.

1. Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata)

• Best for: Shade
• Height: 6–15 inches
• Bloom time: Spring
• What it looks like: Clusters of lavender-blue flowers form a soft, spreading mat that feels whimsical and alive.

Woodland phlox is a Minnesota native that thrives in shade where turf grass struggles. In spring, it erupts in blooms that butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds adore. It spreads politely, filling in gaps without becoming aggressive, making it perfect for shaded borders, under trees, or naturalized areas. A bee-friendly choice that adds color and movement to the parts of your yard that turf can’t handle.

Note: The rabbits love it, too. Check out #2, 4 & 5 for deer and rabbit resistant options!

2. Ground Cover Sedum (Sedum spp.)

• Best for: Full sun, dry areas
• Height: 3–6 inches
• Bloom time: Late summer/fall
• What it looks like: Thick, succulent foliage forms a weed-suppressing mat topped with clusters of late-season blooms.

Sedum is one of the easiest ground covers you can grow. It’s drought-tolerant, thrives in full sun, and provides excellent erosion control on slopes or dry areas. The late-season flowers are a critical nectar source for bees and butterflies when many other plants have finished blooming and is typically left alone by deer and rabbits. Sedum divides and spreads effortlessly, filling in bare spots without any fuss. Plant it once, and it does the work for you.

3. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

• Best for: Full sun
• Height: 2–6 inches
• Bloom time: Summer
• What it looks like: A low, fragrant mat of tiny pink and purple flowers that release scent when stepped on.

Creeping thyme is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for sunny areas. It’s walkable — though not suitable for heavy everyday foot traffic — and releases a beautiful herbal scent when brushed or stepped on. The flowers are loved by bees and beneficial insects, and the dense mat helps suppress weeds. Perfect for pathways, between pavers, or as a lawn alternative in sunny spots.

4. Lamium (Dead Nettle) (Lamium maculatum)

• Best for: Shade to part shade
• Height: 6–12 inches
• Bloom time: Spring through summer
• What it looks like: Silvery variegated foliage topped with clusters of pink, purple, or white hooded flowers.

Lamium is a shade-loving ground cover that deer won’t touch — making it perfect for areas where browsing is a problem. The variegated leaves brighten dark corners even when the plant isn’t blooming, and the nectar-rich flowers attract bees throughout the growing season. It spreads to form a dense mat that suppresses weeds, and it’s tough enough to handle dry shade once established. A beautiful, reliable choice for filling in under trees, along shaded borders, or anywhere you need color and coverage without the fuss.

5. Canadian Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

• Best for: Shade
• Height: 6–8 inches
• Bloom time: Early spring
• What it looks like: Lush, heart-shaped velvety leaves form a dense carpet that stays green all season.

Canadian wild ginger is a Minnesota native that thrives in shade and competes aggressively with weeds — making it an excellent low-maintenance choice for planting under trees and shrubs. The maroon, cup-shaped flowers bloom in early spring but are hidden beneath the foliage, creating a secret garden feeling. Deer and rabbits leave it alone, and its dense growth suppresses unwanted plants. A beautiful, practical choice for shaded areas where nothing else will grow.

The Power of Biodiversity

The true key to creating beneficial green spaces isn’t just choosing one ground cover and calling it done. It’s biodiversity.

Plant different varieties in sun than in shade. Mix ground covers with your favorite perennials. Layer in native shrubs and grasses. When you diversify your landscape, wildlife follows — bees, butterflies, birds, beneficial insects.

Reversing monocultures is one of the most powerful actions homeowners can take. And it matters: over 75% of land in Minnesota is privately owned. Recovery of native ecosystems doesn’t happen through government programs alone — it happens in our yards, one planting decision at a time.

Start Small, Grow Big

You don’t have to rip out your entire lawn. Start by converting a shaded corner where grass won’t grow. Replace a low-traffic strip with creeping thyme. Tuck sedum into a sunny slope that’s hard to mow.

Every patch of ground cover you plant is a step toward a lower-maintenance, higher-impact landscape. Your yard becomes easier to care for. Your water bill goes down. And you create habitat for the pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects that make ecosystems thrive.

Visit Sunnyside Gardens to explore our full selection of ground covers. We’ll help you find what’s perfect for your space — whether it’s a sun-baked slope, a shady corner, or a whole lawn ready for a transformation.

Converting portions of your lawn contributes to something much greater than curb appeal. It’s part of a collective effort to create healthier, more resilient ecosystems across Minnesota.

Let’s grow something better.