From the ArcaMax Publishing, Gardening Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/gardening/s-156753-943887
Question: My husband doesn't like to mow grass, but all our neighbors
have it, so it doesn't seem appropriate to cover the property in green
cement! We are thinking of planting Dwarf Mondo Grass on our lot. I've
read that it's a good groundcover (esp. between stepping stones &
around trees) but I don't know how much of it to plant so that it will
take over the lawn, or whether that's even feasible. Will it grow
under our Black Walnut tree? Does it come in 'seed' or will I have to
buy a truckload of those little 4" pots?
Answer: Dwarf Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) only gets about 4-6
inches high and should be planted about that far apart in beds.
However, if you are planting a large area, it will get expensive.
You'll have to buy plants which cost $5 each. A less expensive idea
maybe to look at other non-lawn alternatives. There are a number of
seed mixes on the market that include a mixture of herbs, flowers, and
low-growing grasses. These still look green, but take less mowing and
are "different". Your county extension service should be able to offer
you some regionally specific alternatives. Good luck!