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Selecting the right wildflower combinations When choosing wildflowers that will grow well together it is important to ensure a) that the flowering time is likely to coincide b) That they will be well suited to the same habitat. A lot can be learned from observing nature and if possible trying to mimic  classic combinations that are commonly found in the wild. The photo gallery below is intended to offer a few ideas of wildflowers that look especially beautiful when grown toge

The Wildflower Garden in May As spring moves steadily towards summer, the breeding season is now in full flow for many of our resident birds. By mid month the dawn chorus will reach a peak and a very early morning walk in deciduous woodland provides an unforgettable experience. A visit to old woodland in May can also be a source of inspiration to the Wildflower gardener. In certain woods, vast swathes of Bluebell still exist and can be found flowering this month, along with m

The Wildflower Garden in April An unpredictable month weather wise, often with showers and sun but with the days lengthening and the ground starting to warm, April is the month that sees many of our native trees coming into leaf. Resident birds will already be egg laying and migrant birds such as swallows and warblers will be arriving into the country in huge numbers by the end of the month, the exact timing often affected by the various weather systems. In the Wildflower gar

Wildflowers for wet areas Plock Court Wetland area Benefits of Wildflowers for wet areas In February we wrote an article about growing wildflowers on clay. Clay soils often get very water logged in winter but what about areas prone to regular winter flooding that remain under water for long periods. Flood meadows have always played a part in flood alleviation and there are many benefits of growing specialist wildflowers for wet areas. As a scheme at Longford near Gloucester

grass seed with wildflowers Field Scabious in Limestone grassland When sowing a mixture of grass seed with wildflowers it is vital to select the correct type of grass seeds. Grasses should always consist of fine growing varieties such as bents and fescues. These generally fall into the category of “meadow grasses” and will provide a sward in which native wildflowers can establish and thrive successfully. When buying grass seed with wildflowers  avoid using any grasses that fa

Wild Daffodils With spring just round the corner, March is a month of great activity in the garden. An increase in the volume of birdsong is a sure sign that many of our resident birds are already busy defending territories and indeed nest building. Frogs, toads and newts will also be breeding now. Frogspawn will normally appear first, followed by toad spawn with newts normally laying their eggs last. In the Wildflower garden, yellow is the theme, with Wild daffodil, Primrose

Wildflower landscaping Wildflowers in park setting Wildflower landscaping ideas Outside of gardens and wild areas there is an increasing use of wildflowers to landscape urban and suburban areas. Wildflowers provide a cost effective alternative to bedding plants and can be used to landscape parks, road verges, roundabouts, golf courses and green roofs. Mixtures often contain a blend of native and non-native species such as Californian Poppy. The introduction of any non-natives

Wildflower Lawn Seed Cowslips By reducing the amount of cutting in spring and summer, garden lawns can easily be converted into a...

Wildflowers for Clay Ladies Bedstraw, a spectacular and useful wildflower for clay soil Recognizing clay soils Clay is a very common soil type and we are frequently asked which wildflowers will grow best on this type of soil. Clay soils are characterized by  frequent water-logging in winter, and drying out in summer. In very dry weather clay soils will often bake and start to crack near the surface. Clay soils are usually hard to work and will stick to the soles of boots and

early spring violets The Wildflower garden in February Typically bitterly cold and wet with the strong possibility of snow and ice,...

Q: What is the best soil for wildflowers? A: By far the most important consideration when choosing a site for a wildflower meadow is soil...

Q: I understand it is advantageous to sow a Cornfield mixture at the same time as a perennial grass and wildflower mixture. How should this be done and what are the benefits? A: This technique is known as ‘nursing’. Perennial wildflowers are generally slow to germinate and establish. By contrast cornfield annuals germinate and grow quickly. This can help to reduce the extent of weed invasion following sowing and leads to a good display of colour in the first season. It also

snowdrops in the green Snowdrops in the green are supplied in early spring immediately after they have flowered. At this time  they can...

In this article we describe how to plant a wildflower meadow using 3 different methods. Wildflowers in summer When and how to plant a Wildflower meadow with a grass and wildflower mix The most common method is to sow a mixture of wildflower seeds and meadow grass. This approach is generally used whenever it is possible to fully clear any existing vegetation and then prepare a bare weed -free seed bed. It is generally regarded as the most cost effective method  for medium size

The Wildflower Garden in January Although traditional gardeners often dread mid winter, a wildflower garden can be a place of fascination at this time of year. By early month it should already be possible to hear great tits singing. Their song, a repetitive and metallic “tea cher” “tea cher” is one of the first signs that spring is approaching. As the days slowly lengthen, Mistle thrushes can also be heard singing high in the treetops. They are one of our first birds to breed

We are pleased to announce that we have added the following species to our range of wildflower seed packets for 2016 :- Chicory, Charlock, Common Field Speedwell, Common Fumitory, Dandelion, Feverfew, Tree Mallow,  Wild Parsnip, and Wood Forget-me-not. With now well over 150 Native British wildflower seeds available to order , we  offer  one of the most extensive ranges of  wildflower seed packets in the u.k.  Within our range you will find wildflower seed for virtually  ever

Meadow seeds when to sow Wildflower meadow seeds can be sown at any time of the year but usually spring or autumn are best. In winter the risk of extreme cold, wet weather  is high which can reduce the chance of a meadow seed mix germinating successfully. Some meadow seeds such as primula species and Yellow Rattle will not germinate until they have undergone a period of winter chilling. For this reason  it is sometimes stated that wild meadow seed mixes benefit  from an autum

Holly berries The Wildflower garden in December is a quiet place, with many plants and trees now fully dormant and creatures such as frogs and hedgehogs in hibernation. However a close inspection of the soil may already reveal the first signs of spring with Bluebells and Snowdrops putting out their first shoots by mid-month. Other more conspicuous plants this month include Holly and Mistletoe and both have berries that will be fully ripened in time for Christmas. Slightly les

Robin Attracting birds to your garden  by growing the right wildflowers can be a natural  alternative or supplement to buying Wild bird food.  Grown correctly, wildflowers can offer a permanent  food source for garden birds   through the important winter months and rest of the year.  Seed-eating birds Many garden birds rely on seeds as their main food source. They can usually be identified by their thicker bills for example House sparrows and Fiches. In nature, such birds dep

Guelder Rose Wildflower garden ideas November is the month when everything falls silent in the wildflower garden. The early part of the month is dominated by the wide array of autumn colours that appear in our woodlands and hedgerows. The exact timing and degree of colouration is dependent on weather conditions, with frost, rainfall and autumn gales all playing a part. Good native species to include in the garden for autumn colour include Rowan (orange/brown), Field maple (ye