Lawns

    Our perception of lawns is evolving from neat green patch to a more relaxed and sustainable grassy space that encourages less mowing and allows nature to thrive

    Sustainable alternatives to a traditional lawn

    Mow the lawn less and let wildflowers and wildlife thrive

    Grow a low-carbon wildflower meadow
    Grow a low-carbon wildflower meadow

    Your lawn can become a powerful carbon sink that can play a significant part in combatting climate change – all you have to do is mow it less!

    Grow a low-carbon wildflower meadow

    Attractive flowers for long grass

    Scabiosa arvensis
    • 1–1.5 metres
    • 0.1–0.5 metres
    <em>Scabiosa</em> <em>arvensis</em>
    Heracleum sphondylium
    • 1.5–2.5 metres
    • 0.1–0.5 metres
    <em>Heracleum</em> <em>sphondylium</em>
    Malva sylvestris
    • 1–1.5 metres
    • 0.5–1 metres
    <em>Malva</em> <em>sylvestris</em>
    Scabiosa arvensis
    • 1–1.5 metres
    • 0.1–0.5 metres
    <em>Scabiosa</em> <em>arvensis</em>
    Heracleum sphondylium
    • 1.5–2.5 metres
    • 0.1–0.5 metres
    <em>Heracleum</em> <em>sphondylium</em>
    Malva sylvestris
    • 1–1.5 metres
    • 0.5–1 metres
    <em>Malva</em> <em>sylvestris</em>
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    Grassy places can be home for lots of wildlife

    • Short grass lets green woodpeckers hunt for ants and some solitary bees find nesting spots
    • Long grass creates a mini-jungle for grasshoppers and many other invertebrates
    • A mini-meadow offers seedheads for finches
    • Bumblebees forage for nectar on lawns where clover and other lawn ‘weeds’ are allowed to flower

    Common lawn problems

    Lawn maintenance

    How to keep your lawn looking good

    Lawns and meadows at the RHS Gardens

    Get involved

    The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.