Introduction

A spring meadow is the perfect habitat for spring bulbs such as bluebell, daffodil, lesser celandine and snakeshead fritillary etc. and can be used for recreation purposes in the summer since it is mown after flowering ends in early to mid July. Often tall vegetation in summer can obstruct visibility e.g. traffic. In such circumstances a spring meadow would be most appropriate.

A summer meadow provides a particular attraction to butterflies and bees during the warmer months of the year and is usually mown off in late September after all species have shed seed. The long season meadow is essentially a blend of both spring and summer meadows plus some choice biennial species.

Our mixtures comprise 20% wild flower seed and 80% native grass seed. The content of our meadow mixtures has been derived by reference to the Nature Conservancy Council booklet (Creating attractive grasslands using native plant species). The grass content of a meadow mixture is more important than is generally appreciated. Our selection 'X' of grasses are ones that provide relatively slow growing species which form a matrix within which the delicate young wild flower seedlings are able to develop. The grasses, many of which are of native origin, add interest in terms of foliage and scent and many are valuable larval food plants for butterflies and provide seed to attract birds.

Our wild flower mixtures comprise the following species:- (click here to order seed collections on-line)

(click here to order seed collections on-line)

Where a meadow species is in short supply, we reserve the right to substitute with an alternative.

Seed mixtures are sown in the following blends:- AX, BX, CX, DY, EY, FY (made up of 80% grass, 20% wild flowers).

AX, BX and CX are choice blends for sites of low fertility.

Blends DY, EY and FY are essentially low cost long season mixtures of taller or stronger growing wild flowers and a limited range of grasses. They are suitable for the more fertile soils or where cost is a limiting factor on low fertility soils.

Suggested seed rates are as follows -

Meadow mixtures
Grass seed alone
Wild flower seed alone
(for over- seeding grass areas)

The informal lawn is created on an area of grass which generally needs close mowing, but where the mowing can be ceased for short periods in spring or summer to enjoy a delightful display of flowers for around a month. The 'flowery lawn' is made up of species tolerant of close mowing and after flowering the normal mowing of the sward can be resumed without harm or loss of any of the plants.

Flowery informal lawns created on bare soil are sown at 30g per square yard, much higher rates than for meadows, but the wild flower content is reduced to 5%. The flowery lawn wild flower mix G can be oversown onto relatively young grass at a rate of 2g per square yard. The flowery informal lawn is compatible with early bulbs such as lesser celandine, crocus, snowdrop and wild daffodil.

Cornfield annuals can be sown with meadow mixtures at low rates of 0.1 gm per square yard. At this low density they will not pose a competitive threat to the perennial wild flower seedlings in the meadow sward. A higher seed rate of 0.5 gm per square yard can be used if soil is of low fertility where the mix is likely to be most compatible. A delightful display can then be enjoyed for some weeks, but it must be emphasised that the cornfield species will not then recur in the meadow to any extent in subsequent years, since they are annual species and rely on seed shed and ground disturbance. However, their appearance in the first year is a welcome bonus and the provision of colour maintains interest.

Cornfield annual mixture contains corn poppy (red), marigold (yellow), corn cockle (pink), cornflower (blue) and corn chamomile (white).

Cornfield mixture can be sown alone at 5g per square yard or 10g per square yard when the cereals bearded wheat and barley are also included.