Lawns are an automatic choice for cheap ground cover, despite the tyranny of the lawnmower and the edging shears. An expanse of green is also restful to the eye, helps set off plants around its edge and provides a reasonably firm surface for garden furniture and toys. A low maintenance alternative to a lawn must fulfil some or all of these requirements.

Non-grass lawns are less resilient than turf, and require even more time and trouble than turf to establish and care for, so are non-starters for the non-enthusiast.