Ko-Warra Native Seed Grasses For Lawns

With changing climate and reduced water availability there is a need for different areas within the domestic block which put less pressure on our water resources, while maintaining a green vista. Ideas using more hardy plants, and tracks with different garden beds, together with the use of native grasses are ways to reduce water consumption.

Native grasses can be used as a lawn or as an ornamental display.

Native grasses are hardy, perennial and drought tolerant. They can offer habitat for native butterflies legless lizards, skinks and native birds. Select the right grass for the different climatic areas and you can be less reliant on reticulated water.

These grasses have lower maintenance and fertiliser requirements than your traditional lawn.

Native grass lawns are slow to establish and requires patience and extra care in the maintenance of these grasses. Weeds can overrun the intended area so it is important to have a clean weed free seedbed before you begin.

Once established, mowing is required much less frequently than the usual exotic types.

Look to using our native grasses to have a truly Australian backyard, which can enhance the environment and put less pressure on available resources.

Native Grass Seeds Suitable For Lawns

	Austrodanthonia – Wallaby Grass   Wallaby grass is a fine leaved cool season tufted perennial grass and grows in clay soils and clay loams.   It has high heat and drought tolerance.   It is green all year round, given sufficient rainfall occurs.   Also a good grass to mix with the above lawns as it will add a degree of hardiness to the weeping grass and a winter green to the red grass.   It is responsive to fertiliser.
	Bothriochloa macra – Red Grass   Red grass is a summer active perennial grass which is highly tolerant of heat and drought conditions and acidic soils.   It makes an excellent inland lawn where it has adapted to its harsh environments.   Red Grass has attractive red to purplish leaves which are not quite as soft as weeping grass.   It goes into dormancy with the first harsh frosts and resumes growth in the early spring.   It is more tolerant of heat and dry conditions than weeping grass and is adapted to low fertility but will respond to fertiliser.
	Microlaena stipoides – Weeping Grass   Weeping grass is a particularly attractive lawn grass.   Weeping grass is a cool season perennial grass which is green all year round, given the right conditions.   It will grow in acid soils.   It will survive frosts, extended hot dry periods, although may lose leaf without added water during these times.   It has soft nicely coloured leaves that are comfortable to lie on.   It can withstand moderate continual traffic, is ideal for domestic lawn situations in its flavored areas.   Once established it will flourish, given normal rainfall events, and survive through drought periods having the advantage over the introduced species that need re-sowing after extended periods of minimal rainfall.   It will respond to fertiliser.   So be patient and enjoy your little bit of an Australian adapted backyard.