All Posts

Q: What wildflowers are likely to compete well and establish successfully on fertile soils? A: The following species in our experience are all strong growing and compete well. We can supply all the species listed below as individual wildflower seeds . Yarrow Common Sorrel Black Knapweed Greater Knapweed Teasel Lady’s Bedstraw Meadow Cranesbill Common St John’s Wort Field Scabious Oxeye Daisy Cowslip Selfheal White campion Red Campion In addition we can provide wildflower seed

Q: Do wildflower seeds require any special treatment prior to sowing? A: The 2 forms of special treatment are as follows: a. Scarification: This is where hard coated wild flower seeds can be encouraged to germinate more readily by rubbing between two sheets of sandpaper hence allowing moisture to penetrate more readily. A few examples within our own range of wildflower seeds include Rockrose, Meadow Cranesbill, Vetches, Bluebell, Ribbed Melilot and Sainfoin. b. Stratification

Q:  How long do wildflower seeds take to germinate? A: Some wildflower seeds generally germinate very readily and easily. Species such as kidney vetch and Birdsfoot trefoil often take only 2 or 3 days to emerge. Unlike some ordinary flower seeds however, wildflower seeds have not been genetically modified by humans for easy germination and as such there are a few varieties that are notoriously difficult to grow. In fact, some wildflowers seeds have built in mechanisms designe

Q: How many seeds can I expect to receive if I order a 1 gram wild flower seed packet? A: Wildflower seeds come in many different shapes and sizes. Some are particularly large and a 1 gram packet of Yellow Flag iris (Iris pseudacorus) seed will contain approximately 20 seeds. At the other extreme some wild flower seeds are more like dust particles. A 1 gram packet of Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea) for example will contain a staggering total of around 80,000 seeds! Man

Q: Why is such a low sowing rate of 4 grams per sq. metre recommended for wildflower meadow seed mixtures? A: A low sowing rate is used to encourage a somewhat patchy open grass sward in the short term. This helps to create receptive conditions necessary for the development of wildflower seedlings. Eventually the sward will thicken and close up.

Q: How can I establish a Wild flower meadow seed mix in an arable field grass margin ? A: On arable farmland, wildflower meadow seed is best established alongside hedges, ditches and water courses. The aim is to create a conservation headland several metres wide that will contain a mixture of Native British Wild flowers and Native Meadow grasses that will require minimal maintenance. Once established the resulting Wildflower and Grass strip will act as a buffer reducing run-o

Q: What are the sowing rates for wildflower seeds and mixes ? A: Grass and Wildflower seed mixes 4 grams per square metre or 16 Kgs per acre 100% wildflower seed mixtures 1 grams per square metre or 4 Kgs per acre Cornfield annual seed mixes 2 grams per square metre or 8 Kgs per acre Individual wild flower seeds 1 gram per square metre Meadow grass seed mixes 5 grams per square metre or 20 Kgs per acre The above are the recommended sowing rates which can occasionally be reduc

There are several hundred species of bees native to the British Isles and with many in decline or “at risk”; there has never been better time to give them a helping hand by growing a few native wildflowers. It is hard to find many wildflower species that aren’t good for bees, however it is probably also fair to say, that certain varieties may be somewhat better than others. Viper’s Bugloss, Wild Thyme, Foxgloves, Hedge Woundwort are some notable examples of plants that are ex

Yellow Rattle or Hay Rattle (rhinanthus minor) is partly a parasitic species that draws some of its nutrients though the roots of grasses and is frequently used to increase bio diversity in wild flower meadows. Its parasitic nature suppresses the growth rate of grass, which in turn can make conditions more receptive for the establishment of other wildflower species. Used correctly it can reduce grass growth very successfully and once established can often spread to other area

Selecting wildflower bulbs Native Wildflower bulbs provide a useful and easy way to establish wildflowers in shaded areas and existing grasslands. Generally bulbs fall into 2 categories: Woodland Wildflower bulbs such as Bluebells, Snowdrops, Aconites, Wood Anemone, and Ransoms (Wild Garlic) are suitable for planting into bare areas of soil rich in leaf mould and with plenty of shade. Spring meadow Wildflower bulbs such as Star of Bethlehem, Wild daffodils, Wild tulip, and S

Planning Before attempting to create a Wildflower meadow, there are a number of factors which should be given due consideration. From the outset it should be fully understood that wildflower meadows do require management and regular cutting is an important part of how to create a wildflower meadow. This will include several cuts during the first year to a height of around 3.5 to 4 inches followed by further cutting, albeit less frequently in subsequent years as the competitio

Before sowing any  wildflower meadow mixture consideration should always be given to the soil type and situation. Most soils fall into the category of clay, sandy or loam (midway between sand and clay). Other less frequently encountered soils include acid (e.g. peat) and chalk or limestone. Consideration should also be given to the light levels, which if low may mean a woodland mixture is required. Similarly if the soil is unusually moist, a wet soil or pond edge mix may be n

Purple loosestrife seeds should be sown in trays of compost in spring or autumn. Seeds do not require any special treatment but following sowing, the trays should be kept moist. Once germinated, the seedlings can be pricked out and grown on, for planting out later in the year. When fully rooted Purple loosestrife plug plants can be introduced to their permanent planting positions from late spring through to October. Initially they should be kept well watered and left to devel

One of the many benefits of growing wildflowers is that they will attract a wide variety of insects including butterflies and moths. Wild meadow grasses will also attract butterflies, in particular meadow browns and skippers. Butterflies will visit many wildflowers for the pollen and nectar, drawn by the sweet scent. Then there are specific wildflowers that will act as host plants for breeding butterflies. Often a particular species of butterfly will have it’s own specific ho