Flowering Meadow contains a simply stunning array of classic British cornfield annuals and longer-lasting perennial wildflowers. The grass species in this mix are meticulously matched to their wildflower counterparts to create a meadow as it would naturally occur in uncultivated land. The grass in this mix will grow first after sown, creating a nursery for the RHS Plant for Pollinators wildflowers to thrive in.
Mixture Breakdown
2%Cornflower
When does it bloom?
June - August
What colour is it?
Violet
Annual or Perennial?
Annual
Latin Name
Centaurea cyanus
Description
Cornflower was previously considered a weed in amongst its cornfield annuals companions but is now accepted and widely praised as one of its finest! We're not surprised - who could dismiss those electric blue blooms?
4.2%Corncockle
When does it bloom?
May – September
What colour is it?
Purple
Annual or Perennial?
Annual
Latin Name
Agrostemma githago
Description
Corncockle is a pretty purple wildflower with tall stems and full petals and is a bright addition to any annuals mix. It is currently rare and endangered.
0.4%Wild Carrot
When does it bloom?
June - September
What colour is it?
White
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Daucus carota
Description
Part of the carrot family, Wild Carrot smells like carrots but is not the kind of one you would want to eat. Its low nutrient and drought tolerant abilities make it ideal for sandy soils.
3.2%Corn Poppy
When does it bloom?
June - August
What colour is it?
Red / Black
Annual or Perennial?
Annual
Latin Name
Papaver rhoeas
Description
Corn Poppy is a vibrant and bright addition to any meadow and easily recognisable and identifiable throughout the UK. Of course it has meaning for many, and also adds a colourful pop to any wildflower plot!
1.5%Corn Chamomile
When does it bloom?
June - September
What colour is it?
White / Yellow
Annual or Perennial?
Annual
Latin Name
Anthemis arvensis
Description
Although Corn Chamomile looks like a daisy, it is part of the cornfield annuals family. With its flat and almost-level surface it makes the perfect pit-stop for bees and pollinators.
2%Red Campion
When does it bloom?
March - November
What colour is it?
Pink
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Silene dioica
Description
Red Campion has hot pink petals that make for quite the show stopper in your wildflower meadow, and can typically be found in woodland areas. Red Campion begins to flower once bluebells begin to fade, so if you notice this happening in your wildflower sward you can begin to look forward to their fuchsia blooms!
1%Salad Burnet
When does it bloom?
May – September
What colour is it?
Pink / Green
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Sanguisorba minor
Description
A perennial wildflower with toothed leaves and pink flowers, its leaves when crushed smell like cucumber and used to be used in salads!
1.0%Birdsfoot Trefoil
When does it bloom?
May – September
What colour is it?
Yellow / Red
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Lotus corniculatus
Description
Birdsfoot Trefoil is part of the pea family and grows up to 35cm. It is well known for its yellow slipper like petals and red centre, which has given it the nickname of 'Eggs and Bacon'!
0.4%Cow Parsley
When does it bloom?
May - June
What colour is it?
White
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Anthriscus sylvestris
Description
Cow Parsley is a shade tolerant wildflower that can be found naturally growing in woodland areas and its stem branches out into many clusters of tiny white flowers. It is sometimes referred to as 'Queen Anne's Lace' as it was said it would bloom for Queen Anne and her ladies in waiting and resembled the lace on their dresses.
0.2%Musk Mallow
When does it bloom?
July – August
What colour is it?
Pink / Lilac
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Malva moschata
Description
Musk Mallow is a light pink perennial that sits open and welcome for bees to land on. It’s easy to access pollen makes it the ideal flower for attracting bees alongside its sweet musky scent that invites them to pop in for more than just a pit stop!
0.1%Foxglove
When does it bloom?
June - September
What colour is it?
Pink / Purple
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Digitalis purpurea
Description
Foxgloves are biennial wildflowers that when sown will reward you with blooms for two whole years. Their bright pink / purple bells are attractive to bees and pollinators who tunnel in to feed on its nectar.
0.1%Agrimony
When does it bloom?
June - September
What colour is it?
Yellow
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Agrimonia eupatoria
Description
Agrimony is a spikey perennial wildflower with buttercup-like blooms which stems can grow up to 80cm!
1.4%Ribwort Plantain
When does it bloom?
January – December
What colour is it?
White / Brown
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Plantago lanceolata
Description
Ribwort Plantain although not the brightest wildflower, certainly adds a natural diversity to your wildflower meadow. Its tiny white buds provide food for bees and pollinators whilst its seeds are great for Goldfinches.
2%Corn Marigold
When does it bloom?
June - October
What colour is it?
Yellow
Annual or Perennial?
Annual
Latin Name
Glebionis segetum
Description
Corn Marigold is a bright ray of sunshine on a gloomy day. Its orange-yellow petals burst into life in June and last all the way through until October. Part of the cornfield annuals family, although this annual may have one showing - it’s a showstopper!
0.3%Common Soapwort
When does it bloom?
June to September
What colour is it?
Pink, white
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Saponaria officinalis
Description
This plant grows green, leafy stems that do not have any side branches. When it blooms, the flowers form in clusters of pink and white petals that produce a sweet scent.
0.2%Bladder Campion
When does it bloom?
May to September
What colour is it?
White
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Silene vulgaris
Description
This perennial plant gets its name from its bladder-like calyx with purple veins, just behind the flowers. The flowers have 5 2-lobed petals and are white in colour.
7.5%Crested Dogstail
When does it bloom?
This is a grass seed and typically germinates at temperatures of 8 -10 degrees
What colour is it?
Green / Beige
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Cynosurus cristatus
Description
Crested Dogstail is a grass that performs in most soil types
1%Tufted Hair Grass
When does it bloom?
This is a grass seed and typically germinates at temperatures of 8 -10 degrees
What colour is it?
Green / Beige
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Deschampsia cespitosa
Description
Tufted Hair Grass is a grass that performs in most soil types
1%Browntop Bentgrass
When does it bloom?
This is a grass seed and typically germinates at temperatures of 8 -10 degrees
What colour is it?
Green / Beige
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Agrostis vinealis
Description
Browntop Bentgrass is a grass that performs in most soil types
6.5%Tall Oat Grass
When does it bloom?
This is a grass seed and typically germinates at temperatures of 8 -10 degrees
What colour is it?
Green / Beige
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Arrhenatherum elatius
Description
Tall Oat Grass is a grass that performs in most soil types
35%Sheeps Fescue
When does it bloom?
This is a grass seed and typically germinates at temperatures of 8 -10 degrees
What colour is it?
Green / Beige
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Festuca ovina
Description
Sheeps Fescue is a grass that performs in most soil types
24%Slender Creeping Red Fescue
When does it bloom?
This is a grass seed and typically germinates at temperatures of 8 -10 degree
What colour is it?
Green / Beige
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Festuca rubra
Description
Slender Creeping Red Fescue is a grass that performs in most soil types
5.0%Chewings Fescue
When does it bloom?
This is a grass seed and typically germinates at temperatures of 8 -10 degrees
What colour is it?
Green / Beige
Annual or Perennial?
Annual
Latin Name
Festuca rubra ssp. Commutata
Description
Chewing's Fescue is a grass that performs in most soil types
Usage Guide
● Remove any existing grass, plants or flora from the area where you plan to sow your wildflower seed. Failure to do this will produce poor results ● Further remove the top 5-10cm to reduce soil fertility ● Allow the area to cultivate for several weeks, and remove any weeds that may pop in the area during this time ● Do not be tempted to add top soil, compost or fertiliser to the area - wildflowers prefer low nutrient conditions ● After the cultivation period ensure to remove stones or any other debris and rake the area to create a fine, friable and level seedbed ● Scatter the seed at a rate of 5g per m2 ● Rake the seed so that it is in amongst the soil ● Water the just-sown wildflower seed well ● If sowing in drought conditions, water as required to keep the area moist in the first 6 weeks after sowing
The above photo depicts the variety of species you should expect to see in your wildflower display. Please note that certain species within this mix and all our wildflower mixes may become more abundant than others, and this varies based on the conditions in which they are sown. Taking this into consideration, your wildflower meadow will evolve and adapt year after year and change in appearance as certain species may become more dominant than others.
Hi,
I sowed my mix three weeks ago and I can see some things sprouting but I am unsure whether it is some of the original grass (I did dig 10cm down!) or weeds - how do you know whether to pull them out/let them grow? Should I leave it a few more weeks? I don’t want the grass/weeds to kill off the plants? I can also still see some seeds, is that normal or should I tread/rake them in?
Thanks,
Question by: C on 17 May 2021, 18:47
Hi Clarrisa
Do not pull anything just yet. These are likely to be the meadow grasses, these will appear first creating a nursery for the wildflowers. Over the next few weeks you can expect to see more annuals bloom and some perennials, however most perennials will appear in next years bloom.
Answer by: Roisin McCann on 18 May 2021, 08:11
I sowed last spring and had a glorious meadow of wild flowers p.
Will they return this year?
Question by: Diane on 8 Jun 2022, 15:05
Hi Diane, thank you for your question.
No one wildflower meadow will look the same year on year, making them so unique!
The success and results of your meadow rely on many factors such as weather, soil and available space, which can change from year to year. For example, annuals will appear one year and not the next, whereas the perennials that did not bloom the first will make an appearance the second year.
Depending on the conditions, some wildflower varieties will thrive whilst others will struggle, making the outcome of a meadow so unpredictable yet exciting.
I’ve just done my cut (July) of my wildflower grasses mix and am waiting for the seed to drop out for regrowth next year.
Is now a good time to overseed the area with a pollinator mix to give more colour next year? If not now, when should I do it and how should I prepare the ground?
Question by: Tom on 24 Jul 2022, 12:50
Hi Tom, thank you for your question. We would recommend adding wildflower seeds to your meadow in spring or autumn when your meadow has been mown. You should scarify the area to achieve bare soil to sow your new wildflower seed.
Answer by: Helen McGale on 25 Jul 2022, 14:31
Hi
Could you please tell me if this flower meadow would be harmful to horses if eaten, we have horses in a field next door to our garden.
Many Thanks
John
Question by: John on 28 Jun 2021, 12:39
Hi John
We would not recommend sowing wildflower seeds near grazing areas. Whilst most wildflowers are relatively safe, there are a few that can be harmful to animals when ingested.
Answer by: Roisin McCann on 28 Jun 2021, 12:52
Hi,
Is this mix suitable for pots rather than spreading on the ground as a meadow and if so what type of soil would you recommend and how often should they be watered / fed?
Thanks
Lynsey
Question by: Lynsey Pritchard on 8 Jul 2021, 09:52
Hi Lynsey
Whilst you can sow in planters, wildflowers much prefer poor soil conditions and a low fertile environment. Topsoil and compost can sometimes be too rich in nutrients. If you are going to sow then we suggest using soil from the garden. It will need watered daily for the first few weeks and in the absence of rain but it will not fertilised.
Answer by: Roisin McCann on 8 Jul 2021, 10:01
Can I put a raised bed on paving and create flowering meadow if so how high would you recommend the bed to be and what soil would I use to fill it
Question by: Jason on 10 Jul 2021, 09:49
Hi Jason, you can create a meadow, ideally the soil would need to be 25-30cm deep. For results we would recommend using a low fertile soil, maybe some soil from the existing garden. Wildflowers much prefer poorer soil conditions and anything too rich will affect the overall result.
Answer by: Roisin McCann on 14 Jul 2021, 10:29
I'm looking to purchase seed for sowing in September. If I buy now how should I store it as you mention that you store your seed in a chilled warehouse and that this chilling is necessary for good germination.
Question by: judy wilkinson on 26 Jul 2021, 12:40
Hi
If you keep the in a cool dry place until you are ready to sow then that will be fine. Somewhere like a garage or shed would be suitable.
Answer by: Roisin McCann on 26 Jul 2021, 12:46
Hello, we've just sown the seeds and are wondering if we need to avoid walking on the soil.
Thanks.
Question by: Sarah Miles on 18 Oct 2020, 06:58
Hi Sarah
Yes, we would recommend that you avoid walking on the area, at least for the first few weeks. Once the grass is established then you should be fine to use the lawn as normal.
Thanks Roisin
Answer by: Roisin McCann on 19 Oct 2020, 13:02
Hi,
Does this mix only contain hardy plants? I wanted to check there are no half-hardy annuals as wish to sow now (October),
Many thanks
Question by: Kath on 12 Oct 2022, 15:54
Hi Kath
Thanks very much for your enquiry. This is mix has a vast variety of wildflowers and contains corn poppy and corn chamomile which are pretty hard. Autumn is a great time sow any of our mixes. Now is an ideal time because the seeds need to undergo the process of stratification (a freeze) to kick start their germination. If you were to sow the seed now, nothing will happen until next spring, early in the season. If you decide to wait until next year and sow in the spring, then your meadow will flower in the summer. We do have a few blog posts on our website that go into more details.
Answer by: Roisin McCann on 14 Oct 2022, 07:58
Do you have a seed collection for shade semishade. Without grass. I want it for a walk way so I can have seeds each side. Thanks. Eamonn
Question by: Eamonn on 23 Oct 2020, 21:04
Hi Eamon, we do have a mix particularly for shaded areas. Shaded Areas Wildflowers consists of annual and perennial wildflowers and grasses that will tolerate damp and shaded areas.
