Avondale Park floral lawn - in pictures

The new floral lawn at Avondale Park near Notting Hill in London has been created by Lionel Smith of the University of Reading. He is carrying out PhD research into whether a patchwork of low-growing flowering and foliage plants is an alternative to the traditional grass lawn. → Photograph: Katherine Rose

Species featured in the lawn include bronze-leaved bugle (Ajuga reptans ‘Chocolate Chip’), unusual pink dandelions (Taraxacum pseudoroseum) and big, blowsy, red daisies. There’s also a smattering of Corsican mint (Mentha requienii), which releases its scent when crushed underfoot. → Photograph: Katherine Rose

Like a conventional lawn, a floral lawn will need mowing - but not as often as grass. Pictured are Potentilla neumannia nana (left) and Trifolium repens atropurpurea. → Photograph: Katherine Rose

(From left) Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow', Mazus reptans, Cotula hispida and Lotus maculatus knit together to make a tapestry of plants. For a full list of Lionel Smith's suggested plants, visit his floral lawns website. → Photograph: Katherine Rose

(Clockwise from top left) Anthyllis vulneraria, Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow', Geranium albanum, Viola hederacea and Lysimachia nummularia. → Photograph: Katherine Rose

The perennial plants are a mixture of UK natives and their cultivars, plus more exotic species that extend the flowering period. This is the dwarf heronsbill, Erodium variabile 'Bishop's Form'. → Photograph: Katherine Rose

(Clockwise from top left) Bellis perennis 'Pomponette Mixed', Viola sororia, Trifolium repens 'Dark dancer' (a hybrid created by the University of Reading ) and Erodium variabile 'Bishop's Form'. → Photograph: Katherine Rose

Fox and cubs (Pilosella aurantiaca). → Photograph: Katherine Rose

Heartsease (Viola tricolor). → Photograph: Katherine Rose

Hieracium maculatum 'Leopard'. For more on floral lawns, read Helen Babbs' feature from Weekend magazine. → Photograph: Katherine Rose