Eastwood Green, off George Lane, now features a tapestry lawn, which is a perfect alternative to real and plastic grass, says local gardener Stephanie Derby. Photo by Geoff Wilkinson
In the last issue, I wrote about what the South Woodford Society is doing to help pollinators at Eastwood Green. As well as beautiful flowers, we’ve now created a ‘tapestry lawn’ in front of the bench by the Birch tree.
You might think “what on earth is a tapestry lawn?” Well, it’s an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional grass lawns, which comprises a variety of low-growing plants that suit the conditions of the garden. They need very little to no mowing and can be a gorgeous addition to the garden, especially when using plants that carpet the ground with flowers. As a garden designer, customers often complain about their lawns, whether it’s the high maintenance or the fact they dry out during a drought. Interestingly, ornamental grass lawns originate from aristocracy and it is thought the first one was created at the Palace of Versailles! The idea spread to England and signified wealth, as only the richest could afford to maintain grass purely for aesthetic purposes. Almost all gardens now have some space dedicated to a lawn but many people are now seeking alternatives.
The past few years has seen a rise in people opting for artificial grass. When asked, 31% say they didn’t want the upkeep of a natural lawn. This is understandable, but plastic grass has many downsides. Aside from the environmental damage it causes, there are health implications too. For instance, artificial grass is made with dangerous levels of PFAs, also known as ‘forever chemicals’. When absorbed or inhaled, these chemicals are linked to cancer, birth defects and many other serious health problems. Studies have shown people playing sports on artificial grass are likely to be coated with higher levels of these chemicals and children can be particularly vulnerable as they tend to be in closer contact. What better reason to always opt for real plants over plastic! In recent months, the trend for plastic grass is waning as people are discovering the negatives outweigh the benefits. Demand in the UK in 2023 was down by 66% compared to 2021.
At Eastwood Green, we created a small tapestry lawn to show people they can create one in their own gardens. Ours is a little wild, as it is maintained ad-hoc by volunteers, but we’ve planted a variety of plants suited to sunny, dry and exposed conditions, and they are thriving. The plants include Chamomile, Creeping Thyme and our beautiful native Harebell. When walked on, these plants release oils that emit gorgeous fragrances, and they are incredibly soft underfoot. This lawn stays green in the height of a dry summer, and never needs to be mown. In summer, the lawn erupts with dainty purple Harebells that are a fantastic nectar source for bees. This mosaic of plants is just one of endless combinations that could be tried in your own garden. I am confident in saying tapestry lawns are a fantastic alternative to both real and plastic lawns. Please do pop over to Eastwood Green and check out what we’ve done.
To help with Eastwood Green gardening, email e18society@gmail.com
For more information on gardening and tapestry lawns, follow Stephanie on Instagram @stephanietaraderby
