Lawn Alternatives Study Day

Zoysia planted around old olive trees at the Natura Garden Centre

Lawn Alternatives Study Day Report 

This was a full day on 27 February 2015 looking at alternative ground cover planting and we started with a showing of the talk by Olivier Filippi which he gave at the MGS AGM in Athens in November 2013. We were based in Almancil and the morning was spent at the popular Aquarelle Restaurant for our talk and discussion with the designers, followed by lunch and the opportunity to discuss what we had seen. There was a lively Q&A session and garden visits were organised for the afternoon.

The talk on Lawn Alternatives in Mediterranean Climates follows closely the theme of the latest book from Olivier Filippi, Alternatives au Gazon. The book is not yet available in English but we have recently heard that there is a publisher interested in producing an English edition. The talk is approx. 50 minutes but can be paused for an interval. You can see the talk, which is in English, on this web site via the talks page.

The talk was followed by Presentation of Case Studies from Marilyn Medina Ribeiro and from Jean-Claude Defrance, both professional landscapers with experience of Algarve conditions and they were available to answer questions and discuss various options.

Marilyn, and Jean-Claude with Sylvain Griot, were the professionals who joined us for this event. Marilyn showed some interesting before and after shots of her gardens designed to make maximum use of Mediterranean climate compatible plantings and introduce diversity into the garden. Jean-Claude also showed us some of the varied uses for the lawn alternative, Zoysia alternifolia, he has recommended this to garden owners who have heavy use pathways or who want alternative but green planting next to pools. Sylvain Griot is running a specialist nursery in the Alentejo which produces Zoysia as a turf alternative for laying on large or small areas. He showed us photos of the different ways Zoysia can be maintained to give differing effects in the garden, and he demonstrated mowing techniques at the nursery. Overall Zoysia needs less maintainance, less water and can give zones of the garden a different look.

Following lunch, we first visited the nearby Natura Garden Centre and Jean-Claude Defrance and Sylvain Griot showed the demonstration areas planted up with Zoysia.

After the visit to the nursery our group was invited to visit some gardens locally, we are very grateful to the owners for sharing their gardens and their experience of life without a lawn !

Poul and Vibeke – Vale do Lobo, Almancil. This is a modern villa garden and the owners were not happy with the large areas of lawn which they inherited with the house. After doing some research and visiting ‘dry gardens’ on the Algarve, they made the big decision and the lawns were removed in 2010. The paths for access were defined and various mulches used to give texture among the shrubs and new drought tolerant plants. They now say that some of their near neighbours have watched their experiment with interest and have followed their example by removing their own lawns.

Vibeke and Poul removed their lawn and added colour and interest 

Agnete's garden before the lawn is removed 

Agnete has less expense and more interest in her garden after removing the lawn

Agnete’s Garden – Almancil The owner of this much-loved but increasingly expensive garden wanted to swap the lawn for something more sustainable and appropriate to the climate, while improving the health and look of the garden. Subtropical shrubs were transplanted together into one area where they will ultimately receive water once a week in high summer, while the majority of the garden has been given over to Mediterranean planting with bark and gravel mulches to preserve humidity. A rose border next to the terrace receives intermittent irrigation, but once established will have very low water needs. The removal of the sad looking lawn has allowed Agnete to have a lovely water feature with a small paved area for a bench as well as exuberant and diverse planting to give year round interest.
More Photos on http://waterwisegardens.com/projects/almancil-garden

Although it was a smaller group at the end of the afternoon, we were also invited to visit

Anna ‘s garden - Monte Seco, This is in the countryside behind Loule on a sloping site with glorious views over the nearby hills. Original mature trees have been retained to provide pools of shade. There is imaginative and artistic use of a variety of shrubs, trees and plants, both exotic and indigenous and all suited to Mediterranean gardens. Good practical use of water conserving methods, stone mulches and some limited watering. Inviting paths and steps provide easy access to all parts. They were also awarded a medal by the Loule Camara for the most sympathetic conversion of a typical old Portuguese farmhouse. There is a swimming pool but there is no lawn in this garden.

Everyone agreed that it was a useful and informative day with the chance to see real gardens with owners that had removed lawns and found it provides more diversity in the garden as well as year round interest and beauty. A less expense and more sustainable way of enjoying our gardens.

Monte Seco dry river using stones among the shrubs