No mow grass or other alternatives?

[JBJ]

Hi all. I’ve got an area in my garden which was cleared of weeds/trees last year. It’s about 5m x 3m and is currently covered with a tarp to kill off any weeds leftover. It’s uneven, and I want to keep it like that.

What I’d like is a nice green area, shrubs around the edges (it’s in a corner bordered by fence/wall), bit of a rockery area, plants dotted around, a fire pit towards the edge near the seating I’m putting in and some green. Don’t want grass that needs mowing/maintaining, but more of a “wild” area. I’ve seen the wildflower turf, which appeals, but the price is eye watering! Is there a type of turf/moss I could get which wouldn’t grow too tall? Don’t mind a quick strim a couple of times a year, but I’m not wanting to mow regularly.

Thanks!

Rather than Red Robin (I know it's popular, but to me it always has a note of B&Q car park) I suggest Pieris Forest Flame, or a mix of Forest Flame and Flaming Silver. Much more colourful, and masses of bee-friendly flowers.

I’ll look them up. I’m rubbish with plants!

Many thanks, I need to have a look at all the different plants.

Hardy geraniums (cranesbill, not pelargonium) could work well to fill those gaps. You never need to mow it, and it's easy enough to move or get rid as you plant other things. The variety called Rozanne is very popular, but I prefer the pencilled cranesbill, Geranium versicolor (photo hopefully below), though it is a bit taller than most cranesbills.