Alternatives to grass

We laid a lawn last May and it was lovely through the summer. In autumn though it went right downhill, we think due to shade. I am going to add sand to improve drainage and try some shade tolerant seed.
I'm not too hopeful though and wondered what alternatives to grass there are that might like shade.
A friend has suggested clover and I think a lawn made entirely of moss would be nice.

 

Quite a few people get that without trying! :D

Seriously though - there's always the camomile lawn...

click here for info on laying one and caring for it

 

Pachysandra - I once saw a garden designed by John Brooks which had lawn made of this.

 

Not sure I fancy that one, Waco. Don't think I'd like walking on it. It's a great ground cover plant, and I use it a lot, but I doubt if I could bring myself to use it for a lawn! Where was this Brooks design for? Was it a real place, I mean for real people as opposed to somewhere just for show?

 

Hi
As mentioned above you have the option of camomile or you could try thyme. This is ok but it does attract bees in summer

 

How about this as an alternative to a lawn....



It was obviously a good winter for the sycamore seedlings! :rolleyes: And you should see the driveway :eek:

Apologies for photo quality, I only had the mobile handy....

 

we have the same problem with sycamore seeds problem is they grow very big very fast, there is a wild one by next doors garage, its now about 20 foot high and destroying the foundations.

 

my friend was also fed up with her lawn ,so she opted for artificial turf,sounds terrible looks great :D