The main thing against specific weeds is that they spread easily and infest other areas. If your neighbors don't want flowers in their grass, but restricted to

The main thing against specific weeds is that they spread easily and infest other areas. If your neighbors don't want flowers in their grass, but restricted to flower beds, then they will respond by using more weed killer on their lawns. I wonder if the code enforcement has a requirement about how much of your yard can be garden vs lawn. That is if you specifically designate a section to be flowers and other plants (and make it look like a garden), if that ends up covering 70% of the yard with grass borders ribboned throughout, if that still accomplishes the natural environment goal but also pleases the city or HOA?