France gardeners seek drought-resistant alternatives to traditional lawns

As heatwaves become more frequent in France, gardeners are increasingly seeking alternatives to traditional English lawns, which require significant water consumption. Maintaining 100 square meters of conventional grass can consume between 30,000 and 60,000 liters of water annually.

With drought restrictions in place across more than half of the country's departments, many are turning to drought-resistant ground covers. Options such as creeping thyme (thym serpolet) offer a fragrant, hardy alternative that can withstand foot traffic and full sun without the need for constant irrigation.