The English garden tradition making a comeback – it means you can ditch mowing the lawn and it encourages more wildlife

The Sun

29-07-2025

A TRADITIONAL English garden trend is making a big comeback – and it could mean the end of mowing the lawn for good.
The old-school chamomile lawn is back in fashion, and it's not just pretty to look at.
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It's low-maintenance, eco-friendly, and brilliant for bees, butterflies and other garden wildlife – all while smelling sweet and feeling soft underfoot.
Across the UK, more homeowners are choosing to replace conventional, high-maintenance lawns with soft, low-growing mats of chamomile.
This centuries-old favourite — even found in the gardens of Buckingham Palace — is stepping back into the limelight as a fragrant, eco-friendly alternative to mown grass.
A chamomile lawn offers a neat, evergreen carpet that thrives with minimal upkeep.
It's ideal for spots with little foot traffic or awkward-to-mow corners of the garden.
Unlike grass, chamomile releases a lovely sweet aroma when walked on.
Why choose chamomile?
Chamomile lawns are drought-tolerant.
They stay green in dry weather and require less watering, saving both time and resources.
Though the initial cost of plug plants is higher than grass seed, a chamomile lawn is cheaper to maintain in the long run, with no mowing and little weeding once established.
They also provide a fantastic habitat for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
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The dense, aromatic foliage offers shelter to small insects and invertebrates, making it a far better option than a standard grass lawn if you're aiming to boost biodiversity.
And unlike a typical lawn, there's no need for regular mowing.
Just an occasional tidy-up will keep it looking good, ideal for gardeners who want beauty without too much fuss.
Wildlife garden benefits
Chamomile lawns can boost biodiversity, attracting bees, butterflies and other vital pollinators.
The thick, scented cover also gives shelter to insects and invertebrates that wouldn't thrive in a standard grass law.
And unlike a typical lawn, there's no need for regular mowing. Just an occasional tidy-up will keep it looking good — ideal for gardeners who want beauty without too much fuss.
How to grow a chamomile lawn – 10 quick tips
Choose a sunny spot – partial shade is fine, but avoid deep shade.
Chamomile likes light, well-draining soil – heavy clay won't work.
Test a small area first to check growing conditions.
Plant in spring when growth is at its strongest.
Use Chamaemelum nobile 'Treneague' for a no-mow, non-flowering lawn.
Want flowers? Try Chamaemelum nobile 'Dwarf', which is also hardy.
'Treneague' can't be grown from seed – use plug or grown plants.
Space plants 5–6 inches apart and water well.
Avoid walking on new lawns for 10–15 weeks while they establish.
Great for pollinators, low maintenance, and no mowing needed.
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