Sedum

Joseph.Giuliano · July 2023

Hi! Our very old, knackered garden lawn has been swapped out for Sedum. Billed as zero / low maintenance. Drought tolerant and environmentally friendly. Quality supplier and diligent respected contractor. All the right ground prep, existing grass eliminated, depth, sand, drainage, initial establishment etc all good. Sadly grass, likely in the rolls of Sedum and externally in the wind and from birds etc is now 25%+ of the surface area and spreading vigorously. We're manually pulling it out but just can't cope. Sedum doesn’t like being trampled on either. Landscaper says supplier T&C’s give them a get-out clause. Sold as is. Offered a November specialist weed killer with no guaranteed efficacy and risk of collateral damage. Likely it’s to be ripped out and the premium lawn reinstated.

Thoughts welcome?

SalixGold · July 2023

Sedum isn't good for walking on - and they should have told you that at the outset. No plants or garden is "zero maintenance". I would encourage to stick with the alternative lawn idea. How long has it been in? How big is the area?

bcpathome · July 2023

So what have you learned from this unfortunate experience? I think the answer must be …..do your research before jumping in . I’m so sorry your plans haven’t worked out for you . It looks like a new lawn is the way to go . Good luck in the future .

Loxley · July 2023

Yes you may as well just get it re-turfed, Sedum is good for green roofs where no one will walk on it, and where conditions are too harsh for grass to flourish. Not lawns. I would go for a a hardwearing turf if your old one was 'knackered' - sounds like it gets plenty of use.

AnniD · July 2023

I think you may have answered your own question to be honest, but l think you need to have a think before you leap back into the Premium lawn.
I assume that you decided to try sedum because you were finding the lawn care too much to deal with , forgive me if l'm wrong.
Would a smaller area of lawn help, and possibly part of the area replaced by gravel ? Much easier to weed, either by hand or weedkiller (l await forum members disagreement

).

I think it would help if you could give a bit more information and possibly a couple of photos. What size area are we talking about, and do you have a keen interest in gardening or do you just want lawn as opposed to flower beds etc ?

Fairygirl · July 2023

I agree with @AnniD. Photos of the site will help @Joseph.Giuliano , and a bit of info about your conditions and climate.

Lawns have been difficult for many people in drought ridden areas, but fine in areas like mine - and in the west generally as we don't have those long dry spells. Moisture retentive soil also helps in keeping grass green and healthy.
If the problem is the climate, then there are alternatives, as AnniD says.

Sedums are certainly very straightforward when used as 'greenery' in any kind of dry area, or as a green roof etc, but if you use it as a lawn alternative, you'd also need to think of access to other planting areas for maintenance, unless the space is wall to wall/fence to fence with no need to cross it. It isn't like thyme or similar planting which can be walked on regularly

Sedum

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