Artificial Turf in Knoxville, TN for Drought-Tolerant Lawns: Benefits and Landscaping With Native Plants

It’s hard to maintain a lawn in drought-prone areas like Knoxville, TN. But that doesn’t mean that you should forget about having a lush, green home landscape. With artificial turf in Knoxville, TN, you can have a hassle-free lawn that stays green and stunning even through droughts. 

6 Challenges That Lawn Maintenance a Struggle in Drought-Prone Areas

Taking care of natural grass in areas with water scarcity is an uphill battle due to the challenges below. Let’s see how synthetic turf eliminates these drought-related concerns.

1. Frequent Watering

Natural lawns need daily watering to thrive, but drought conditions often lead to water restrictions and reduced availability. This makes it difficult to provide them with the water they need, causing stress and potential turf damage. 

Artificial grass eliminates the need for watering, helping you conserve water while maintaining a lush, green landscape.

2. Brown Patches

When natural lawns don’t receive enough water during droughts, the grass can turn brown and die, creating unsightly patches. These dead areas not only detract from your yard’s appearance but also require time and effort to repair. 

Synthetic grass maintains its vibrant green color and uniform appearance, regardless of weather conditions or water restrictions.

3. High Maintenance

Drought-stressed natural lawns often demand more upkeep to counteract the effects of water scarcity. This includes increased mowing, fertilizing, and reseeding to encourage new growth and improve the lawn’s appearance. 

In contrast, artificial turf is a breeze to maintain. Just sweep, rinse, wash, and brush it as needed, and it’ll look good as new.

4. Uneven Growth

Drought can cause natural lawns to grow unevenly due to variations in soil moisture and nutrient availability. This results in an unattractive, patchy appearance that detracts from your home’s curb appeal. 

Artificial grass offers a consistently uniform and visually appealing surface, making your yard look its best all year round.

5. Soil Erosion

Prolonged drought can lead to soil erosion, as the lack of moisture causes the soil to become compact and crumbly. This makes it difficult for grass roots to take hold and can lead to further damage to your lawn. 

If you install synthetic grass on the ground, it can help keep the soil in place and prevent erosion.

6. Weed Invasion

Natural lawns that are stressed by drought conditions become more vulnerable to weed invasion, as weakened grass leaves gaps for weeds to take root. Dealing with weeds can be time-consuming and often requires the use of chemicals that can harm the environment. 

Weeds can neither break through nor spread on artificial turf in Knoxville, TN, so an artificial lawn can virtually keep your yard weed-free.

Artificial Grass and Native Plants: The Best Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Combo

A synthetic lawn is stunning on its own, but integrating native plants into it can take it to the next level. 

Why Use Native Plants?

Why not add non-native flora to your artificial grass installation instead? The short answer is that local plants offer benefits for drought-tolerant landscapes that non-native plants can’t, such as:

• Adapted to Local Climate: Native plants can handle the unique challenges posed by droughts, such as fluctuating temperatures and limited water resources.

• Reduced Water Consumption: Local plants have adapted to the natural rainfall patterns of your region, reducing the need for supplemental irrigation. 

• Low Maintenance: Native plants typically require less maintenance than non-native species, as they are naturally resistant to local pests and diseases. 

• Enhanced Curb Appeal: Native plants offer a range of colors, textures, and sizes that complement the overall design of your yard. 

• Looks Great With Artificial Grass: Pairing native plants with artificial grass creates a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant landscape that’s both beautiful and eco-friendly. 

How to Add Native Plants Into an Artificial Grass Landscape

Here are six creative ways to integrate local plants into your synthetic turf installation:

1. Create Planting Pockets

Add planting pockets or cut-outs within your artificial grass layout to allow for native plants to grow. These pockets can be strategically placed to add visual interest and create a more natural, dynamic appearance.

2. Border Your Artificial Lawn

Plant native shrubs, grasses, or flowers around the perimeter of your artificial turf for dogs in Knoxville, TN. This creates a soft, natural transition from the artificial turf to the rest of your landscape, adding depth and texture.

3. Design an Island Bed

Create an island bed filled with native plants in the center of your artificial grass lawn. This can become a focal point in your landscape, showcasing the beauty and variety of native plant species.

4. Use Native Groundcovers

Plant native groundcover plants along the edges of your artificial grass, allowing them to spill over and create a seamless transition between the grass and the surrounding landscape. This can help blend the artificial turf with the natural elements in your yard.

5. Vertical Gardening

Integrate native plants into your landscape by creating a vertical garden, such as a living wall or trellis. This adds height and interest to your outdoor space, while also providing a lush, green backdrop for your artificial grass.

6. Container Gardening

Utilize containers or raised beds to plant native flowers, shrubs, or trees around your artificial grass. This allows you to introduce native species without disturbing the artificial turf and gives you the flexibility to rearrange your landscape as needed.

Best Native Plants to Add to Your Knoxville Home Landscape 

Add depth and color to your vibrant artificial grass lawn with these drought-tolerant plants:

• Eastern Redbud: This small deciduous tree produces stunning pink flowers in early spring, creating a striking focal point in your landscape. 

• Coneflower: This perennial wildflower has vibrant, daisy-like flowers that bloom throughout summer. 

• Switchgrass: Switchgrass is a native perennial grass that adds texture and movement to your landscape.

• Blazing Star: This plant produces tall spikes of purple flowers during the summer, attracting butterflies and other pollinators. 

• Black-eyed Susan: This popular summer native wildflower features bright yellow petals surrounding a dark central cone. 

• Virginia Bluebells: These perennial wildflowers produce clusters of delicate, bell-shaped blue flowers in the spring.

• American Beautyberry: This deciduous shrub produces clusters of vibrant purple berries in the fall, adding a pop of color to your landscape. 

• Coral Honeysuckle: Coral Honeysuckle is a native vine that produces trumpet-shaped, red, and orange flowers throughout spring and summer.

• Cardinal Flower: This perennial wildflower features tall spikes of bright red flowers that bloom during late summer. 

• Southern Magnolia: This evergreen tree is an iconic symbol of the South, known for its large, fragrant, white flowers that bloom in spring and summer. 

• Oakleaf Hydrangea: This deciduous shrub is known for its large, cone-shaped clusters of white flowers that bloom in summer. 

• Spicebush: Spicebush is a deciduous shrub with bright yellow flowers that bloom in early spring. 

• Wild Bergamot: This native perennial produces lavender-colored, tubular flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

• Inkberry Holly: This evergreen shrub features glossy, dark green leaves and produces small, black berries in the fall. 

• Christmas Fern: This evergreen fern is an excellent choice for shaded areas in your landscape. 

• Little Bluestem: This native perennial grass adds texture and color to your artificial turf installation in Knoxville with its blue-green foliage that turns reddish-brown in the fall. 

• Buttonbush: This deciduous shrub features spherical, white flowers that bloom in summer, attracting butterflies and other pollinators. 

• American Elderberry: This deciduous shrub produces clusters of small, white flowers in the spring, followed by dark purple berries in the summer. 

Embrace Drought-Tolerant Landscaping!

Never deal with the numerous drought-related challenges in Knoxville, TN again with a gorgeous synthetic lawn. 

In the market for premium turf and expert installation services? Look no further than Knoxville Artificial Grass. Contact us online or call us today at 865-269-9368 for a free quote and consultation!