Ground covers, shrubs and trees offer a more environmental way to landscape

No doubt people mean well when they sow the seeds for the perfect lawn.

But if Marcy Damon, Grassroots Restoration Coordinator at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation had her way, everyone would live by her adopted motto: "Plant more trees, grow less lawn."

It's not that people don't like walking barefoot or frolicking with pets or children in the grass. It's taken years of study about habitats to know a large expanse of grass doesn't offer the same environmental benefits as other plants.

To cut back on grass, consider using shrubs as a property line marker instead of a fence.

Ms. Damon says inkberry is a bush that grows...