Buttercups

Buttercups are found in many lawns, the most common being the creeping buttercup with bright golden yellow flowers. It is an attractive wildflower that is good for a variety of wildlife including bees, butterflies and birds. 

The creeping buttercup prefers wet soils and can be an indicator that action is needed to improve drainage. It spreads by both seeds and runners and can rapidly cover a large area of lawn. Runners creep along the surface and root at intervals to form new plants with a deep and strong root system. The creeping buttercup forms a low-growing rosette that can withstand mowing. 

Creeping buttercups can overtake the growth of grass, so buttercups need to be managed or removed entirely from lawns. If the infestation is not too severe, weeding by hand will keep the buttercups under control. Good lawn maintenance including regular feeding, aeration and scarification will make conditions less favourable for creeping buttercups and promote growth of healthy, dense grass. Raking before mowing will lift the runners which can then be cut and removed as the lawn is mown.