As the UK faces a butterfly crisis, with over half of native species in long-term decline, Johnsons Lawn Seed – the UK’s oldest lawn seed brand – is proud to introduce Nature’s Lawn: a pioneering lawn seed mix designed to support pollinators without compromising the usability of your garden.
Blending slow-growing, drought-tolerant grasses with native perennial wildflowers that flourish under regular mowing, Nature’s Lawn creates a vibrant, wildlife-friendly space that remains functional and family-friendly.
Crucially, it offers an abundant environment for key pollinators, including butterflies. The mix supports cutting heights from 50mm to 150mm, enabling gardeners to strike the perfect balance between aesthetics and biodiversity.
“We’ve lost approximately 97% of flower-rich meadows since the 1930s,” says Johnsons Lawn Seed’s Guy Jenkins. “With over 20 million gardens across the UK, even small changes can make a significant difference. Nature’s Lawn empowers gardeners to be part of the solution.”
Across the country, organisations such as Butterfly Conservation and initiatives like No Mow May are encouraging gardeners to reduce mowing and allow lawns to grow longer, providing essential habitats for butterflies and other insects. Inspired by this movement, Nature’s Lawn was developed to offer a flexible solution - a resilient lawn that looks attractive when mown low, but equally that can truly flourish if left to grow more freely, rewarding both wildlife and garden owners alike.
Recent data from the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme reveals that 31 of the UK’s 59 native butterfly species are in long-term decline. Species such as the Small Tortoiseshell and Small Copper have suffered their worst years on record, as ongoing habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change have caused populations to plummet.
By cultivating a pollinator-friendly lawn, gardeners may attract a variety of butterflies, including:
- Small Tortoiseshell - once common, now in significant decline.
- Peacock - known for its eye-catching eyespots.
- Red Admiral - a migratory species that has shown resilience.
- Small Copper - vibrant orange and brown, but numbers are falling.
- Speckled Wood - thrives in dappled shade.
Some rarer species, such as the Silver-studded Blue and High Brown Fritillary, are also in decline due to habitat loss.
