Shaded Areas Wildflowers
- Creates a meadow of wildflowers that can grow in little light
- Helps to provide a canopy habitat for pollinators and wildlife
- Makes use of forgotten-about shady spaces
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- Creates a delightful display of cornfield annuals and long-lasting perennials
- Develops a year-round habitat for bees and pollinators
- Contains sought-after UK native wildflowers
- A vibrant mix of pollinator-perfect flora
- Contains a balanced mix of annuals, perennials and grasses
- Wildflowers expertly picked for their bee attracting abilities
Growing wildflowers in shady spaces doesn’t have to be difficult – all you need is the right seed! We cultivated this Shaded Area wildflower mix, so that it contains only the wildflowers that are the very best at growing in little light and are similar to what you would find growing naturally beneath trees or in a woodland setting. With annuals, perennials and grass - this mix will help you to create the meadow you’ve longed for in the darker parts of your garden. Containing RHS Plants for Pollinators wildflowers, this mix will attact bees and other pollinators.
Mixture Breakdown
When does it bloom?
March – November
What colour is it?Pink
Annual or Perennial?Perennial
Latin NameSilene dioica
DescriptionRed 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!
When does it bloom?
June - September
What colour is it?White
Annual or Perennial?Perennial
Latin NameGalium mollugo
DescriptionHedge Bedstraw is also known as 'False Baby Breath' as it bears a similar resemblance to the actual wildflower, Baby Breath! As its more common name suggests, you can find Hedge Bedstraw in shaded areas with little to no light and in hedgerows.
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 NameFestuca arundinacea
DescriptionTall Fescue is a grass that performs in most soil types
When does it bloom?
April – May
What colour is it?Violet
Annual or Perennial?Annual
Latin NameHyacinthoides non-scripta
DescriptionHow can you not love this woodland wildflower that can often be found growing underneath trees or dark moist spaces! Sadly, native UK bluebells are under threat from Spanish Bluebells, that are lot more ruthless in their rooting. Luckily, this mix contains UK native Bluebells!
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 NameCynosurus cristatus
DescriptionCrested Dogstail is a grass that performs in most soil types
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 NameFestuca rubra
DescriptionSlender Creeping Red Fescue is a grass that performs in most soil types
When does it bloom?
May – November
What colour is it?Yellow
Annual or Perennial?Perennial
Latin NameGeum urbanum
DescriptionWood Avens can be naturally found in dark and warm spaces and brightens them up with its yellow star-like petals
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 NamePoa nemoralis
DescriptionWood Meadow Grass is a grass that performs in most soil types
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 NameFestuca rubra
DescriptionStrong Creeping Red Fescue is a grass that performs in most soil types
When does it bloom?
June - August
What colour is it?Yellow
Annual or Perennial?Perennial
Latin NameIris pseudacorus
DescriptionYellow Flag is the common name for Yellow Iris, a perennial wildflower that is a tripod of hooked yellow blooms. It enjoys damp conditions so can often be found on the forest floor.
When does it bloom?
April – June
What colour is it?White
Annual or Perennial?Perennial
Latin NameAlliaria petiolate
DescriptionGarlic Mustard is a pretty white perennial that can be typically found in hedgerows and woodland where it thrives in dark and moist soils. If you're wondering how it got Garlic in its name, when its leaves are crushed they smell of it!
When does it bloom?
May – September
What colour is it?Purple
Annual or Perennial?Annual
Latin NameAgrostemma githago
DescriptionCorncockle 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.
When does it bloom?
April - July
What colour is it?White
Annual or Perennial?Perennial
Latin NameStellaria holostea
DescriptionGreater Stitchwort has a funny nickname - Daddy's Shirt Buttons! This is because when it disperses its seeds they pop open! This white wildflower has a star-like appearance with five petals that then split into two, making it a very special wildflower to come across in woodland areas.
When does it bloom?
June - September
What colour is it?White
Annual or Perennial?Perennial
Latin NameDaucus carota
DescriptionPart 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 shaded areas.
When does it bloom?
June - July
What colour is it?Violet
Annual or Perennial?Annual
Latin NameBorago Officinalis
DescriptionThis violet annual is aptly nicknamed ‘Star-flower’ for its starburst appearance. It’s also known as the ‘bee bush’ and ‘bee bread’ for its unrivalled ability to attract bees.
When does it bloom?
June - September
What colour is it?Yellow
Annual or Perennial?Perennial
Latin NameAgrimonia eupatoria
DescriptionAgrimony is a spikey perennial wildflower with buttercup-like blooms which stems can grow up to 80cm!
When does it bloom?
June – September
What colour is it?Yellow
Annual or Perennial?Perennial
Latin NameOenothera biennis
DescriptionEvening 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!
When does it bloom?
May - June
What colour is it?White
Annual or Perennial?Perennial
Latin NameAnthriscus sylvestris
DescriptionCow 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.
When does it bloom?
May – September
What colour is it?Pink / Green
Annual or Perennial?Annual
Latin NameSanguisorba minor
DescriptionA perennial wildflower with toothed leaves and pink flowers, its leaves when crushed smell like cucumber and used to be used in salads!
● 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
| Sowing Rate | 5g per m2 |
| Sowing Depth | 20 - 40mm |
| When | For best results sow in September |
I’ve sown my wildflower seed in April / May (spring)
In August / September of the first year you have sown your wildflower seed, cut your wildflower sward to 7cm after flowering – you can do this by putting your mower on a high setting. In most cases remove clippings* (Note: a late spring sowing will result in late flowering). Do not be tempted fertilise or add top soil to this area – wildflowers prefer poor soil conditions, and this is how they should stay. Continue this same process, year after year. *If you have annual wildflowers in your mix and you do not wish them to return the following year, remove the clippings. If you want your wildflowers to return the following year - let them go to seed head, and manually assist their self-seeding by firming the seed heads into the soil. By doing this, your annuals will return the following year.
I’ve sown my wildflower seed in September / October (autumn)
In March / April of the first year of sowing your wildflower seed, make sure there is sufficient material to mow – your wildflowers / grasses should be at a height of 10cm. If your wildflowers are at this height, mow to 7cm no later than mid-April, as this will delay their blooming process. In August / September, after they have bloomed, cut your wildflower meadow again to 7cm, remove all clippings unless you want your annuals to return. If you wish for your annual wildflowers to make a reappearance the following spring, follow the process above by letting the seed heads drop into the soil, and give them a helping hand by firming them into the soil.
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, subject to the conditions that they are sown in. Taking this into consideration, your wildflower meadow will evolve and adapt year on year, changing in appearance as certain species may become more dominant than others.
