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A tapestry lawn (also referred to as a grass-free lawnCite error: The opening <ref>
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link=File:Tapestry_lawn_at_Avondale_Park_Summer.jpg|right|thumb|The tapestry lawn in Avondale Park London UK Summer
link=File:Tapestry_lawn_at_Avondale_Park_Winter_(1).JPG|right|thumb|The tapestry lawn in Avondale Park London UK Winter
Management
The lawn-defining and traditional practice of
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tag is malformed or has a bad name (see the help pageMechanisms
In tapestry lawns, mowing not only operates to maintain a low lawn-like aesthetic, but it repeatedly modulates the light environment and intentionally creates physical stress. The relatively taller plant species used gradually take more and more of the light as they grow, creating internal shade within the lawn and stressing the lower growing plants. When mowing is applied it removes the tall growth. This allows light to reach the light starved low growing plants and stresses the tall plants by reducing their size and
Biodiversity
An increase in plant diversity can increase the overall diversity of a green space. Growing a mix of native plant species in the tapestry lawn had been shown to increase insect abundance and diversity. Reduced mowing regimes enabled by the tapestry lawn format offers protection and more abundant food resources for arthropods than a traditional grass lawn. Mowing can cause insect mortality in the process as well as reduce habitat. Access to blooms and long stems gives arthropods safe hiding places to hibernate.
Plants
link=File:Tapestry_lawn_mixed_autumnal_foliage.JPG|right|thumb|Tapestry lawn in autumn. Reading University. link=File:Tapestry_lawn_freshly_mown.JPG|right|thumb|Tapestry lawn freshly mown. Reading University. Suitable plant species for the tapestry lawn tend to have origins in NW Europe but can include species from other temperate regions:
- Acaena inermis➞
- Achillea millefolium➞
- Ajuga reptans➞
- Bellis perennis
- Chamaemelum nobile➞
- Glechoma hederacea➞
- Leptinella dioica
- Lobelia pedunculata
- Lysimachia nummularia
- Pilosella officinarum
- Ranunculus repens
- Trifoliumrepens
- Veronica chamaedrys
- Viola odorata
The primary component species of tapestry lawns all show the capacity for clonal reproduction i.e. they can spread and reproduce through
Some of the plants used have a role in providing simple
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Unlike traditional grass lawns that use seed mixes tapestry lawns are created by using individual plant species in either pots or trays that are then combined in a mosaic style at planting. link=File:Tapestry_lawn_recently_planted.JPG|right|thumb|Recently planted tapestry lawn. Reading University.
References
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