Alternatives to a lawn

Lawns don’t need to be grass. There are lots of wildlife friendly, low growing, low maintenance plants that will tolerate a bit of foot traffic. What you choose will depend on the light levels and soil conditions. 

Creeping Thyme

Evergreen groundcover with mats of fragrant foliage with small purple flowers. Extremely low growing.

• Full sun and good drainage. 

• Moderate foot traffic. Stepping on it can release the lovely smell.

Image from Beth Chatto Plants

Moss

Soft and spongy, always green and no need to mow. You can get moss for semi-shade or full shade.

Image from Moss Clerks

Clover

Drought tolerant lawn that stays green. White flowers loved by bees. Usually grown from seed.

Image from The Grass People

Sedum acre ‘Aureum’ - Golden stonecrop

Creeping stonecrops make great carpets of low-growing evergreen leaves. Fast growing so good for a lawn substitute. Easy to propogate

• Sun or part shade

• Well-drained soil

• Good for bees and butterflies

Image from Jacksons Nurseries

Soapword (Saponaria ocymoides) 

Vigorous low-growing, carpet forming creeper. Small white flowers in summer. 

• Sun

• Reasonably well drained soil.

• Tolerate light foot traffic

Image from Crocus

Creeping speedwell

Evergreen mat of glossy foliage. Lovely blue flowers in late Spring. Bee friendly. 

• Sun or light shade

• Pretty much any soil conditions. 

• Moderate foot traffic

Image from Gardenia