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Ditch the Mower: 8 Lawn-Free Landscaping Ideas

Landscape architect Walt Ray creates the ultimate low-maintenance yard in Midtown Atlanta.

Ralph Anderson, Article by Rebecca Bull Reed

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Mondo Grass

Pack in mondo grass to avoid weeds.
Walt confesses to overplanting low-maintenance yards so they’ll fill in faster, leaving little room for weeds. For instance, the dwarf mondo grass in Andy’s yard was planted 6 inches apart (as opposed to 9 to 12 inches); the Heller Japanese hollies are 2½ feet apart (rather than 3½ feet). Consistent spacing is key―and be sure to mulch.