This chic and modern courtyard at the home of garden designer Suzanne McKevitt contains a few fun, unexpected choices. When we came across the garden on Sunset magazine's blog, Fresh Dirt, we studied the photo like a Where's Waldo, trying to spot the playful tricks. Can you find them?
First of all, the little rectangular "carpet" beneath the seating area is not, in fact, grass, but fake turf. We think it looks pretty great, considering that it's synthetic!
As a little cheeky nod to nature, though, McKevitt has planted an actual weed, a dandelion, in the corner of her turf carpet. We like the way this makes the whole set-up feel a little less sleek and perfect. Then again, we're not big weed-haters in general; if we were to go with fake turf, it would probably be as a water-saving measure, rather than to preserve a "perfect" look.
Have you ever tried fake grass in your garden? Would you go there?
Fresh Dirt is always full of fun outdoor inspiration. Check it out!
(Images: Fresh Dirt)
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Comments (7)
Love the look. Why is Sunset Magazine so awesome? It doesn't seem like it would be...I can't see doing Astroturf in a yard but it doesn't really offend my sensibilities. I definitely would be looking for a grass-alternative.
Fake grass is so wrong in so many ways...
Dwarf mondo grass is natural, doesn't require mowing, is drought tolerant and far more interesting to look at...
...and Zoysia grass is also drought tolerant, requires infrequent mowing and makes an excellent lawn.
...and of course both capture and sequester CO2.
This is great. I'd consider the fake grass but the weed wouldn't work for me.
I wouldn't do the fake grass, but I think it works here with the color scheme (the orange, tan, the green of the plants). Overall, I think it's spectacular!
I am with BEPSF on this one. Thank you for sharing that knowledge. Dwarf Mondo Grass - I have to put this in my ideas for house details.
Lovely courtyard...
re: artificial turf....YES I HAVE GONE THERE
My DH and I moved from Portland Oregon to southern New Mexico a few years ago and talk about going into environment shock. We wanted the change...I had been in PDX long enough to feel like I was living in a terrarium and I longed for the desert blue skies, sunshine and low humidity.
The first house we moved into had desert landscaping (which I love) and a small patch of artificial grass in the backyard. Wasn't sure if I liked it in the beginning but there were benefits that made it grow on me...first it had both a psychological and real effect on the heat in the backyard.
Psychologically the backyard felt lush and cooler with that golf course perfect turf. Also just that section of green turf could make the backyard cooler because it was one less surface to heat up during the daytime and put that heat back out all night long.
So...I think artificial turf has a legit place in landscaping depending on where and how it is being used. The courtyard above is a perfect example. Plus you would be amazed at the quality of artificial turf out there...depending on the price you are willing to spend you can get that green carpet looking stuff or turf that almost needs to be felt to know for sure that it is not real.
We have a lot of people who have switched on our end, and yes, many people have gone that route to switching from natural grass to artificial grass. I love the way it looks in that above picture, and how it doesn't take away from the overall aesthetic of the backyard. A nice touch on that weed as well, lol. You can check a lot of our artificial grass pictures that are similar to the one above in the link. Thanks for a great article.