Month: August 2015

13th August 2015

Wildflowers for lawns

Self heal

Q: Is it possible to buy wildflowers for lawns ?

A: Most garden lawns contain rye grass, a hard wearing species designed to cope with the wear and tear. Unfortunately rye grass isn’t compatible with many wildflowers, so the best approach can often be to remove any existing grass and sow a wildflower and meadow grass mixture without rye grass.

If this is not possible however, there are still a few species of wildflowers that can be grown quite successfully in lawns containing rye grass. Read more

12th August 2015

Wildflowers for orchards

Q: I own an orchard into which I would like to introduce wildflowers. How can this be achieved and which are the best wild flowers for orchards?

A: Each year we receive enquiries from customers hoping to introduce wildflowers into orchards, but not necessarily able to remove the existing grass. Read more

12th August 2015

How to sow cornfield annuals

Q: Can I introduce Poppies and other cornfield seeds into an existing Wildflower meadow?

A: Unfortunately most cornfield annuals including Cornflowers and Corn poppies are not able to compete with established grass. To grow a cornfield meadow you will need to create an area of bare soil. Read more

12th August 2015

Growing wildflower plug plants

Q: How and when should wild flower plant plugs be planted?

A: Cut any existing grass as short as possible in the areas where the wildflower plugs are to be positioned, then create a small hole where the plug is to be introduced. (You may find a bulb dibber useful for this) Read more

12th August 2015

Wildflowers for fertile soils

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 and several as wildflower plant plugs

Yarrow
Common Sorrel
Black Knapweed Read more

12th August 2015

Wildflower seed stratification and scarification

Q: Do wildflower seeds require any special treatment prior to sowing?

A: The 2 forms of special treatment are as follows:

12th August 2015

Wild seed germination time

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, Read more

12th August 2015

Number of seeds in a 1 gram Wild flower seed packet

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. Read more

12th August 2015

Reason for low sowing rate of wildflower meadow seed mixes

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.

10th August 2015

Wildflower meadow seed mixes and their use in field margins.

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. Read more