The 6 best grass types to plant around your tree in So Cal

Planting the right kind of grasses around trees in Southern California can transform the landscape, offering visual appeal and functional benefits like soil stabilization, moisture retention, and even reduced maintenance. Here’s a guide to some of the best grasses for the climate, including their aesthetic qualities, maintenance needs, and compatibility with tree canopies.

1. Dwarf Fescue (Festuca spp.)

  • Look & Feel: Dwarf fescues are lush and evergreen, known for their fine texture and soft appearance. They can create a velvety ground cover under trees, adding a lush contrast to tree trunks and bark mulch.

  • Specific Variety: Festuca ovina (Sheep fescue) is a popular choice for a fine, low-maintenance turf.

  • Maintenance: Once established, dwarf fescues are drought-tolerant and need occasional watering. A seasonal trim will help maintain their shape and encourage new growth. They thrive in partial shade and are well-suited to Southern California's variable climate.

  • Overall Benefits: Low-maintenance and versatile, dwarf fescue is a smart choice for those wanting a soft, evergreen look without frequent upkeep.

 

DWARF FESCUE

 

2. Buffalo Grass (Bouteloua dactyloides)

  • Look & Feel: Buffalo grass has a fine, wispy texture and a blue-green hue that becomes more pronounced in warm weather. This low-growing, sod-forming grass can create a soft, natural look around tree bases.

  • Specific Variety: ‘UC Verde’ is a widely recommended, drought-tolerant variety ideal for Southern California landscapes.

  • Maintenance: Buffalo grass is a warm-season grass that goes dormant in winter, reducing the need for winter maintenance. It requires minimal mowing and performs best with occasional watering. Because it loves sunlight, it’s ideal for areas around trees that get plenty of filtered light.

  • Overall Benefits: Perfect for xeriscaping, buffalo grass is highly drought-resistant and creates a resilient, carpet-like coverage with minimal effort.

BUFFALO GRASS

3. Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis)

  • Look & Feel: Known for its “eyelash” seed heads that add texture and interest, blue grama is a warm-season, native California grass that grows in low, attractive bunches. Its blue-green hue softens landscapes and looks wonderful under established trees.

  • Specific Variety: Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition' is particularly popular for its unique golden seed heads.

  • Maintenance: Blue grama is low maintenance, requiring occasional mowing to maintain a tidy look. It does well in both full sun and light shade, making it a flexible option around trees.

  • Overall Benefits: This grass is tough, adaptable, and provides a native touch, making it perfect for eco-conscious homeowners looking for a grass with a little character.

 
 

4. California Meadow Sedge (Carex pansa)

  • Look & Feel: Meadow sedge creates a meadow-like effect, with soft blades that sway in the breeze, adding a sense of movement to landscapes. It’s an attractive, dense cover that works well around tree trunks.

  • Specific Variety: Carex pansa is particularly suited to Southern California due to its drought tolerance and lush, green color.

  • Maintenance: This sedge requires little mowing—about once or twice a year to keep it looking neat. It also needs moderate watering, making it a sustainable choice for areas with semi-regular shade.

  • Overall Benefits: California meadow sedge provides a low-maintenance, meadow-like ground cover that thrives in shade, offering both elegance and utility.

 

CALIFORNIA MEADOW SEDGE

 

5. Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)

  • Look & Feel: Known for its dark green, dense foliage, mondo grass creates a formal, lush appearance. Often used in Asian-inspired landscapes, this grass complements tree bases well, especially for homeowners seeking a polished look.

  • Specific Variety: Dwarf mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana') is a great choice for tighter spaces around trees.

  • Maintenance: Very low-maintenance, mondo grass requires minimal mowing and infrequent watering once established. It tolerates shade well, making it ideal for heavily shaded areas beneath large trees.

  • Overall Benefits: With its sleek, tidy appearance and low maintenance requirements, mondo grass is an excellent choice for a refined, structured ground cover around trees.

 

MONDO GRASS

 

6. Berkeley Sedge (Carex divulsa)

  • Look & Feel: Berkeley sedge grows in graceful clumps and has a casual, wispy texture, creating a slightly wild look that softens landscapes. Its rich green color and tufted form bring a woodland feel around trees.

  • Maintenance: This grass is drought-tolerant and thrives in shaded areas, requiring very little watering. Trim it once a year to remove old growth and refresh its look.

  • Overall Benefits: This versatile sedge offers an easygoing, naturally elegant look under trees and is especially low-maintenance, requiring just a little annual upkeep.

 
 

Choosing the Right Grass for Your Trees

  • Consider the Shade Factor: Trees create various levels of shade throughout the day, so choosing a grass that can handle shade, like mondo or Berkeley sedge, is essential.

  • Watering Needs: Southern California’s climate means drought tolerance is key. Many of these grasses, like buffalo grass and blue grama, require minimal watering, making them eco-friendly.

  • Aesthetic Preferences: Whether you’re going for a lush, green look with fescues and mondo grass or prefer the natural, tufted look of meadow sedge, there are choices to suit every aesthetic.

Planting grasses around trees doesn’t have to mean high maintenance; with the right varieties, you’ll enjoy a vibrant, resilient landscape that enhances the beauty of your trees and thrives in Southern California’s unique environment.

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Isabel Solissouthern california landscape, grasses, landscape, landscape architecture, design to build, ecodesignsd, ecofriendly, ecodesign