Are you responsible for the maintenance of a high-traffic commercial property like a park, school, retail center, council property or industrial area?

Zones like these need clever landscaping designs and implementations so they can take heavy foot traffic; deal with Perth’s harsh summers; but require only minimal maintenance.

Choosing the right plants and turf can go a long way to creating the durability and the vibe that you want your visitors, customers and community to experience - while minimising cost and effort. Perth’s long dry summers bring drought resistance and water efficiency into the equation too.

If you’re planning an upgrade or new installation, consider booking a professional site consultation to evaluate the best turf, planting and irrigation options for your property.

The Best Turf for High-Traffic Areas in Perth

1. Buffalo (e.g. Sir Walter)

Why we like it: Buffalo grass is a hardy, low-maintenance option that thrives in Perth’s warm climate. It’s tolerant of foot traffic, self-repairs quickly, and performs well in both sun and shade.

Care tips: Buffalo requires occasional mowing, and thrives on deep watering during the hot dry summer months.

2. Kikuyu

Why we like it: Known for its rapid growth and self-repairing qualities, Kikuyu grass is ideal for sports fields, parks, and other heavily used spaces.

Care tips: Ensure regular mowing and proper edging to prevent Kikuyu from spreading into areas where you don't want it.

3. Zoysia

Why we like it: Zoysia grass offers excellent drought tolerance and durability, while still maintaining its soft texture. It’s perfect for areas that experience the combination of heavy use and long hot summers.

Care tips: This turf style requires less frequent mowing and fertilisation compared to most other grasses.

4. Couch Grass (e.g. Wintergreen or Santa Ana)

Why we like it: Couch grass is a cost-effective option for large commercial spaces. It handles foot traffic well and has excellent drought tolerance.

Care tips: Couch prefers full sun, and needs occasional dethatching to prevent buildup.

Need help deciding which turf to install?

Installing new lawn is a significant investment, and many of our commercial clients are unsure about which turf to select. We've written a handy guide that compares three of these popular types of lawn turf, and looks at their respective pros and cons: Read the article here.

The Best Plants for High-Traffic Commercial Areas

1. Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos)

Why we like it: This iconic Australian plant is drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and adds a splash of vibrant color to landscapes.

Ideal application: Great for garden beds bordering pathways or parking areas.

2. Lomandra

Why we like it: Lomandra is a tough, grass-like plant that thrives in a variety of conditions. It’s perfect for creating low-maintenance, high-impact landscapes.

Ideal application: Use as ground cover or edging along high-traffic zones.

3. Pigface (Carpobrotus glaucescens)

Why we like it: This succulent ground cover is hardy, drought-resistant, and spreads quickly, making it ideal for erosion control.

Ideal application: Best for large open areas or embankments.

4. Bottlebrush (Callistemon)

Why we like it: These native shrubs are low-maintenance, attract pollinators, and can serve as natural barriers or visual features.

Ideal application: Perfect for planting in rows along pathways or near parking lots.

5. Agapanthus

Why we like it: Well-known for its resilience and striking blooms, Agapanthus is well-suited for decorative borders and garden beds in high-traffic areas.

Ideal application: Plant in fairly tight clusters for a lush and polished look.

Final Thoughts

Let me leave you with a couple of final design tips for your high-traffic commercial or industrial outdoor areas:

Hardscaping Integration: Use pathways, thoughtfully-placed stepping stones, and mulch to redirect foot traffic to where you want it (and away from where you don't!). This can also reduce wear on adjacent grassed areas.

Mulching: Always apply mulch around plants to retain moisture, particularly important in Perth’s long, dry summers.

Irrigation Systems: Install efficient irrigation systems such as drip irrigation to reduce water usage and ensure consistent hydration. This can be 'set and forget'.

Crafted Gardens are your local Perth landscaping experts. Get in touch today!

The post The Best Grass and Plant Choices for High-Traffic Commercial Areas appeared first on Crafted Gardens and Landscaping.

Installing a new lawn is a big decision and a major investment, but many of our clients are unsure about which turf to select for their reinvigorated lawn. If you’re considering a new lawn installation or full garden transformation, our landscaping and lawn installation team can help you plan the perfect solution.

In this article we compare three popular types of lawn turf and look at their respective pros and cons.

Couch

Couch grass is a warm-season turf prized for its resilience and relatively rapid growth. Let's explore some pros and cons:

Pros

• Look and feel. The fine, soft blades of Couch grass make it comfortable for sitting, playing, and pets.
• Drought Tolerance: Couch grass exhibits excellent drought tolerance once established, and can handle quite hot temperatures. This makes it well-suited to Perth’s hot and dry climates.
• Fast Growth: Couch grass grows vigorously, quickly filling bare patches and establishing a dense turf. This is one of the reasons that Couch grass is one of the most popular types of grass in Australia.
• High Wear Resistance: Despite its soft and fine leaf style, its dense growth and strong root system mean that Couch grass can withstand heavy foot traffic, making it suitable for active outdoor areas.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, Couch grass requires minimal maintenance. Regular mowing and occasional fertilisation is all your should need. It can be mowed to almost any height, making it quite versatile for various lawn styles.

Cons

• Invasive: Couch grass has quite aggressive spreading tendencies, which can make it challenging to contain within designated lawn areas.
• Winter Dormancy: In cooler climates, Couch grass may enter a period of dormancy during the winter months, turning brown until temperatures warm up again in spring. This isn’t usually a problem in Perth with its temperate climate.
• Requires Full Sun: Couch grass performs best in full sun and can struggle in shaded areas that have limited sunlight.
• Susceptible to Pests and Diseases. Compared to other varieties, Couch can be a little more susceptible to disease and weed infestation.

Kikuyu

Kikuyu is another warm-season grass known for its rapid growth and good resilience. Here are some of its key characteristics:

Pros

• Rapid Establishment: Kikuyu grass establishes quickly, with deep roots and a dense turf that can outcompete weeds and resist erosion.
• Tolerant of Foot Traffic: Like Couch grass, Kikuyu is hardy and durable, with excellent wear resistance. It recovers relatively quickly from damage, which is great for active yards and high-traffic areas such as sports fields and playgrounds.
• Adaptable to Various Soil Types: Kikuyu grass thrives in a wide range of soil types, including sandy and clay soils, as long as they are well-draining.
• Moderate Maintenance: Kikuyu grass requires regular mowing and occasional fertilization

Cons

• Invasive: As with Couch grass, Kikuyu spreads fast when left to its own devices, and can be invasive - encroaching on surrounding garden beds or paved areas if not properly contained.
• Limited Cold Tolerance: Kikuyu grass is sensitive to frost and may suffer damage in colder climates, requiring overseeding or re-establishment in spring. Again, this is unlikely to represent an issue in our Perth climate.
• Prone To Thatch: Without proper maintenance, Kikuyu grass can develop a thatch layer, which may impede water and nutrient uptake and require dethatching.

Buffalo

Palmetto buffalo grass is a warm-season turf prized for its lush, soft texture and shade tolerance. Here are some of the relevant pros and cons for this variety:

Pros

• Low Maintenance: Palmetto requires minimal mowing and fertilization compared to some other turf varieties, thanks to its slower growth rate and dense growth habit.
• Drought Tolerance: While not quite as drought-tolerant as Couch or Kikuyu grass, Palmetto can withstand periods of dry weather as long as it receives proper irrigation and maintenance. Its deep roots allow it to be relatively efficient in its water consumption.
• Soft Texture: Palmetto grass has a soft, fine texture that feels comfortable underfoot, making it ideal for barefoot activities and outdoor relaxation areas.
• Shade Tolerance: Palmetto grass exhibits excellent shade tolerance compared to Couch and Kikuyu grasses, making it suitable for lawns with partial shade or dappled sunlight. While it can perform reasonably well in full sun, it requires only 2-4 hours of direct sunlight daily. That is insufficient sunlight for many other grasses, which would struggle.

Cons

• Slower Establishment: Palmetto grass may take longer to establish compared to Couch and Kikuyu grasses, requiring patience during the initial growth phase.
• Limited Cold Tolerance: like Kikuyu, Palmetto grass is sensitive to frost and may suffer damage in colder climates, particularly during the harsh winters that Australia’s south eastern states can experience.
• Moderate Wear Resistance: While Palmetto grass can tolerate light foot traffic, it may struggle to withstand heavy wear as well as Couch or Kikuyu grasses would, making it less suitable for active play or high-traffic areas.
• Higher cost. Couch and Kikuyu tend to be similarly priced, while Buffalo is typically around 30-40% higher in price.
  

Summary

The following table outlines some of the relevant criteria in choosing a lawn turf. Have a look at how Couch, Kikuyu, and Buffalo compare.

The post Which Lawn Turf? A Comparative Guide to Couch, Kikuyu, and Buffalo appeared first on Crafted Gardens and Landscaping.