The New Lawn

The new California lawn is smaller and smarter, reflecting the shift in our thinking from “go big” to “go green”. The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 44% of all residential water used in California goes into our landscapes. With water rates rising and water levels dropping, reducing the amount of water we pour onto our lawns is the logical thing to do.
While some people are ready to do away with their lawns entirely, many people want to keep some amount of sod. You can still have a great looking lawn without a huge area of grass, the trick is to make it seem like a larger area by using some techniques like these:
Widen the borders and use sweeping arcs and curves, the eye slows down to follow these lazy lines and the space will seem larger. Filling the border with colorful native and drought tolerant plants adds extra water savings, many of these plants also provide forage for native birds and insects.
Eat up some more of the lawn by placing an island planter in the middle, and if you plant a tree you will also benefit from the shade. Include a sculpture or an interesting boulder; add dramatic lighting and suddenly your lawn has gone from something only your gardener appreciates to an inviting space filled with color and personality.