Flowering lawn and multi-species lawn: between intensive use and the meadow

Between the intensively managed lawn and the tall meadow there is a middle ground: multi-species lawns, mixes with low-growing plants and areas mown less often. These solutions keep some capacity for use and a low profile, but accept greater variation in texture, flower and colour.

A flowering lawn can include low-growing species able to survive moderate mowing. A multi-species lawn looks for a diversity of forms and responses, instead of relying on grasses alone. Neither system should be confused with a meadow, where the vegetation grows taller and the cuts are much further apart.

Intensity of use remains the main filter. Areas of concentrated foot traffic, games or movable furniture exert high pressure. The mix may work better in areas of light use, wide margins and framing surfaces.

The height and frequency of mowing select the plants that remain. Very low cuts favour a limited set of species; longer intervals allow flowering, but change how it feels underfoot. Management should be defined by zone and adjusted after observing how it actually behaves.

Simple patterns are possible: a short strip beside the path, an intermediate area mown monthly and a taller zone cut seasonally. This gradation keeps access and helps a less uniform look to fit in.

A more diverse mix is not automatically drought-resistant. The need for water depends on the species, the soil and how green it is meant to be in summer. In climates with a dry season, partial dormancy or a loss of colour intensity may be acceptable.

The client should know that the surface will not have the uniformity of a single-species lawn. Small flowers, leaves with different textures and seasonal changes are part of the proposal. When the expectation is a surface that is always even, the solution tends to be judged as defective.

The most frequent mistakes are calling any seldom-mown grass a meadow; mixing species without knowing how they respond to mowing; promising intensive use; and keeping irrigation high just to stay green all year.

At Diaplant, this type of lawn should start with a pilot area. The response to mowing, to trampling and to summer makes it possible to adjust the mix and the management before extending the solution.

A multi-species lawn is useful when you are looking for a compromise between use, diversity and less intensive mowing. It works best when that compromise is accepted in the design and explained before installation.

• Smith, L. S.; Fellowes, M. D. E. The grass-free lawn: Management and species choice for optimum ground cover and plant diversity. (2014).
• The association between maintenance and biodiversity in urban green spaces: A review. (2024).
• From urban lawns to urban meadows: Reduction of mowing frequency increases plant taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity. (2018).