Meadow Magic is a quick to establish wildflower seed mix that's perfect for sowing in areas of disrepair, such as road verges, untouched gardens or derelict sites, to bring back some vibrancy. Meadow Magic can also be sown in beds, borders and pots to create a stunning arrangement of flora that is also RHS Plants for Pollinators approved. This luxury mix is made up of 100% wildflowers – no grass varieties are present in this mixture, and it is, therefore, a premium wildflower mixture. The annual species within the mixture will flower vividly throughout the year one of establishment, followed by the beautiful bloom of the perennial species over the coming seasons.
Mixture Breakdown
10%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?
15%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.
2%Oxeye Daisy
When does it bloom?
May – September
What colour is it?
White / Yellow
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Leucanthemum vulgare
Description
Imagine the daisy chain these would make! Oxeye Daisy is the largest member of the daisy family and its almost flat surface makes the perfect landing pad for bees and pollinators.
8.5%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.
7.5%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!
12.5%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!
2.1%Common Knapweed
When does it bloom?
June - September
What colour is it?
Purple
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Centaurea nigra
Description
Common Knapweed can be mistaken for a thistle before it blooms, and once it does, it has magnificent starburst purple petals that resemble a firework display!
12.5%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.
8%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!
5.5%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!
2%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'!
2.4%Flax
When does it bloom?
May - September
What colour is it?
Blue
Annual or Perennial?
Annual
Latin Name
Linum utisatissimum
Description
This species of wildflower was formerly used as a crop for oil and linen-making. This plant has tall, slender stems which produce attractive blue flowers with five petals.
2%White Campion
When does it bloom?
May - October
What colour is it?
White
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Silene latifolia
Description
The white sibling of Red Campion, this wildflower still holds it on with its lengthy rayed petals. At night time it is said to produce a clover scent that is attractive to many bees and pollinators.
2.5%Evening Primrose
When does it bloom?
June – September
What colour is it?
Yellow
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Oenothera biennis
Description
Evening Primrose is a buttercup-like perennial that is well known for its medicinal benefits. The sole ingredient of Evening Primrose Oil, while it may be of use for some ailments, it’s particularly pretty just to look at!
0.5%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.
2.0%Common Vetch
When does it bloom?
May - September
What colour is it?
Purple
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Vicia sativa ssp. Segetalis
Description
Common Vetch produces delicate purple flowers that make it a very desirable wildflower. It is considered a 'scrambling plant', which means it makes an extra special effort to climb to the sun and weave its way above many other wildflowers.
3%Black Medick
When does it bloom?
April - July
What colour is it?
Yellow
Annual or Perennial?
Annual
Latin Name
Latin Name
Description
Despite its name, Black Medick is actually a yellow wildflower that resembles a clover. Just like a clover, it is exceptionally good at attracting bees and pollinators and due to its 'sprawling' ability, is particularly good at thriving in clay soils.
4%Red Clover
When does it bloom?
May – September
What colour is it?
Purple / Pink
Annual or Perennial?
Annual
Latin Name
Trifolium pratense
Description
Red Clover is a popular perennial that despite its name, is actually purple! It's dome-shaped flowers are relatively low-growing which makes it the perfect fodder food for livestock but is also a fan favourite of weary bees who need a feed a little closer to the ground.
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.
Will Meadow Magic flower just as well on an old lawn that's just been killed with glyphosate ?
Question by: Peter Hollingsworth on 16 Oct 2017, 19:54
Thanks for your query. As long as the glyphosate has been spread 2 weeks or more before sowing the wildflower seed it should be fine.
Answer by: Orla O'Hare on 17 Oct 2017, 08:08
Can this be sown directly onto existing lawn or is it best to take up the lawn and sow onto soil?
Question by: Alison Jude on 13 Jul 2019, 20:32
Hi Alison,
Thank you for your enquiry. It is really difficult to establish wildflowers in an area where there is already grass, and it is not something that we would recommend as it has varying degrees of success and we would not want you to be unhappy / disappointed with the results.
If you want to have a wildflower meadow, I would recommend picking an area and clearing it of any grass by digging it up and removing it, and any existing weeds etc. By also removing the top 5-10cm of soil after the grass has been removed, you can reduce the soil fertility which is ideal for wildflowers.
Meadow Magic is a very popular mix of ours and we have had lots of positive feedback from customers who sowed it back in September / October time last year, and is one that I would recommend if you want to see more flora than a dispersion of grass and flora. Your annuals will pop up in spring next year if you were to sow now, followed by your perennials.
If you have any other questions, feel free to email us at [email protected] and we will try and get back to you as soon as possible
Answer by: Anna on 16 Jul 2019, 10:21
Would it still be ok to sow meadow magic now - we are very near the coast in North Wales
Question by: Larden Marilyn on 24 May 2018, 08:02
Yes you can still sow now, you may get a smaller showing this year and the full one next year.
Answer by: Chris McIlroy on 24 May 2018, 08:03
Is meadow magic RHS approved and safe for bees (ie. is it free from neonicotinoids)?
Question by: Zoe Wright on 25 Apr 2019, 19:55
Hi Zoe,
This mix contains wildflower species that are on the RHS Perfect for Pollinators list - so they are recognised for their ability to attract bees and other pollinators by the RHS. All of our seeds are natural, there is no insecticides or coatings on our seeds.
Answer by: Anna on 30 May 2019, 13:09
Just wondering whether this seed mix will attract bumblebees?
Question by: Alison on 6 Jun 2018, 07:58
Yes, this will create a beautiful bloom of pure wildflowers to attract bees and pollinators.
Answer by: Orla O'Hare on 6 Jun 2018, 08:37
Hi. Can Meadow Magic be sown onto existing rough grasses and wildflowers to increase the amount and variety of wildflowers there? If so, how should this be done?
Question by: Sue Chalk on 18 Jun 2018, 13:38
Yes, Meadow Magic would certainly add a lovely splash of colour and a mixture of varieties to an existing meadow.
We would recommend sowing the new seed when you mow your existing meadow. Seed to soil contact is vital to germination, so ensure your seed is lightly raked into the soil and watered for a successful bloom.
Answer by: Orla O'Hare on 18 Jun 2018, 15:56
Will the annual flowers self seed and return the following years ?
Also if I sow in September when will they grow and flower
Question by: Chris Emmett on 12 Jun 2018, 08:09
The annual flowers from one year's bloom promote the growth of the following year's bloom given the correct technique is used. The flower needs to go to seedhead - when the flower has died and the petals are crispy it should be strimmed (usually in September). After appox.2 weeks, the soil should be raked to allow the dropped seed to make contact with the soil and germinate for the following Spring's bloom.
Sowing wildflower in September will provide a bloom during the following Spring. Often wildflower seed needs the colder winter months to stratisfy.
Answer by: Orla O'Hare on 12 Jun 2018, 08:56
We have a wildflower area produced by MeadowMat. Sadly we think we sucked up the flower seeds last year when using a mower, after scything ! Silly. Hence this year most grasses. It has been suggested that we sow just flower seeds this year., so we get more flowers along with our grasses for next season. However, we need to cut the area back each July/Aug and keep it to 4" until next spring, like we always do. Your Meadow Magic implies that it flowers all year round ?, so therefore not cutting it back at all ??? Please advise. Thank you
Question by: Nick on 25 Jul 2018, 16:09
Hi there Nick,
Apologies for the delay in my response.
Given that you already have grasses we would second the opinion of sowing just annual wildflowers like that of Meadow Magic or Annuals Mix. We recommend sowing of wildflowers during Autumn to allow for a bloom in Spring.
We would recommend mowing any wildflower meadow once a year in September time, leaving the clippings on the ground for a week or two to allow the seedhead to fall back into the soil and then rake off the debris. In your case, we would recommend sowing the new seed just after you have raked off. We would not recommend further mowing as there will be very little growth during the winter months and in spring and summer we want the meadow to flourish.
Sorry for the confusion regarding the periods in which the wildflowers will bloom. Unfortunately, no the wildflowers will not be on display during winter months as the cold weather restricts their growth. With Meadow Magic the annual species produces an initial display of colour in the first year and the perennial species persist thereafter.
I hope this is helpful.
Thanks, Orla
Answer by: Orla O'Hare on 7 Aug 2018, 14:09
If I sow Meadow Magic in the winter (Nov) will they bloom the following Spring?
Question by: Corinne on 26 Oct 2020, 09:39
Hi Corinne
There are two times in the year that we recommend sowing a meadow, one is spring and the other is autumn. Autumn 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. I have copied the links below if you wish to read further.
