Welcome to our database of grass and ground cover all stars! These plants are known as great team players in Pacific Northwest yards. Use the sorting criteria to find the right seed blend or plant for your yard. Please note: these categories focus on major species of turf grass; lawn seed stores may offer other blends and types of grass.
Use the sorting criteria to find the right seed blend or a groundcover alternative based on your yard's conditions.
Perennial Ryegrass
One of the most popular lawn choices across the country, but especially in the Pacific Northwest thanks to its tolerance of moderate cold and shade. Short roots make this grass a fast grower, but not so tolerant of drought conditions. It is known for its lush, classic look and softness which can last into the…
Fine Fescue
A classic-looking option for those who aren’t as into doing the whole “lawn thing.” Fine Fescue is a category of soft, relatively low-maintenance, narrow-leaf turfgrass. Lawns in this style are shade and drought tolerant, requiring less mowing and fertilization than your average grass. Although Fine Fescue is considered a dark green grass, it turns lighter…
Turf Type Tall Fescue
This is a tough and hearty grass with deep roots, the one you turn to for resilience and durability. That means you need to keep it mowed or it’ll get trickier to maintain the longer and stronger it gets. On the plus side, mowing gives this grass that classic, sought-after lawn-stripe look. Turf Type Tall…
Bentgrass
This is a bit of a strange one – considered a weed by some and a high-maintenance variety in hotter parts of the country, Bentgrass is perfectly at home in the Pacific Northwest. Even if you didn’t plant it, there’s a good chance it’ll end up in your lawn anyways. Valued for its ability to…
White Dutch Clover
An excellent alternative for those who want a soft, verdant lawn without having to deal with all that grass business. White Dutch Clover was a popular lawn option prior to the 50s, and is experiencing a comeback thanks to its quick growth, drought tolerance, and low maintenance. Look for a new variety called “miniclover” which…
Wild Strawberries
A lawn alternative that comes with its own delicious fruit – what’s not to love? Wild strawberry is an excellent ground cover plant for the Pacific Northwest, adaptable to most soils and happy to thrive on the spectrum of full sun to shade with no mowing required. Not only that, but the beautiful little white…
Creeping Thyme
A low-maintenance lawn alternative with all sorts of fun features. Not only does creeping thyme grow quickly to fill in ground cover, it’s also an edible herb, attracts pollinators to your garden with its gorgeous purple blooms, and is deer resistant, preventing those cute but troublesome pests from munching on your prized veggies.
Moss
If the point of a lawn is to have a lush, soft carpet of green in your yard, why not moss? As a lawn alternative, moss is notable for its ability to thrive in the typically acidic soil of the Pacific Northwest, and there are many varieties! Moss demands consistent shade, fall leaf removal, and…
Creeping Sedums
For a lightly-trafficked lawn, Creeping Sedums make for an eye-catching, lush, and low maintenance lawn alternative. These cute little succulents are fast growing, thriving in full sun with limited moisture, and require no mowing. Just be careful not to break the stems!
Wood Chips
If you’re looking for a simple, no fuss lawn alternative without having to maintain another plant, this may be your answer! Wood chips are cost effective, great for high-traffic areas, and make an excellent ground cover for areas where you’d like to hinder weed growth. Wood chips are not recommended as mulch around growing landscape…
Ferns and Hostas
Looking to fill your yard with low maintenance greenery? Look no further than the ancient best friends, Ferns and Hostas. This combo of plants provides hearty and attractive ground cover that thrives in shaded, moist environments like the Pacific Northwest. Look for drought tolerant types for a no watering regimen.