SIMPLY: Wildflowers

A beginner’s wildflower mix
Helps to create a habitat for pollinators and other wildlife
Provides a variety of flora for novice’s to find their favourites

Skip to the end of the images gallery

Skip to the beginning of the images gallery

How much do I need?

Simply enter the length and width of the area, to calculate how much you need.

Product Description

Our SIMPLY: Wildflowers mix is the economical answer for wildflower novices venturing into making their first meadow. Made up of annual and perennial wildflowers, and appropriate grass species to give you the basic basis of a wildflower meadow. New to wildflowers? You’ll enjoy the benefits of this low-maintenance mix at an economical price. The grasses in this mix provide a nursery for the wildflowers, meaning your wildflower garden stays weed free and wildflower full. SIMPLY: Wildflowers can spruce up your small and large spaces easily and provide a food source for bees and pollinators, as it contains RHS Plants for Pollinators wildflowers.

Mixture Breakdown

2.5% White Clover

When does it bloom?

June - September

What colour is it?

White

Annual or Perennial?

Perennial

Latin Name

Trifolium repens

Description

White Clover is a great source of food for bees and pollinators who can enjoy its nectar from a slightly shorter height. Its dome flowers create a pretty globe of white blooms.

0.5% 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.

0.5% 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!

1% 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% 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!

0.3% 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?

0.3% 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.

0.3% 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.

0.3% 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!

0.3% 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'!

0.3% Yellow Rattle

When does it bloom?

May - September

What colour is it?

Yellow

Annual or Perennial?

Annual

Latin Name

Rhinanthus minor

Description

Yellow Rattle can be used in existing meadows where meadow grasses have taken over. It helps to weaken these grasses to allow other wildflowers to flourish, and does this by locking its roots to those of the grasses, and therefore lessens their abundance.

0.3% Yarrow

When does it bloom?

June – November

What colour is it?

White / Occasionally pink

Annual or Perennial?

Perennial

Latin Name

Achillea millefolium

Description

Yarrow produces clusters of white small-petalled blooms. It is an aromatic perennial making it particularly attractive to bees and pollinators who are enamoured by its sweet scent.

0.3% 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.

0.3% 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.

2.5% Red Clover

When does it bloom?

May – September

What colour is it?

Purple / Pink

Annual or Perennial?

Perennial

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.

30% Strong Creeping Red 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 rubra

Description

Strong Creeping Red Fescue is a grass that performs in most soil types

25% 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?

Perennial

Latin Name

Festuca rubra ssp. Commutata

Description

Chewing's Fescue is a grass that performs in most soil types

20% Slender Creeping Red 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 rubra

Description

Strong Creeping Red Fescue is a grass that performs in most soil types

10% Smooth Stalked Meadow 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

Poa pratensis

Description

Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass is a grass that performs in most soil types

5% 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

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

Read our full guide on how to manage your wildflower meadow here.

Sowing Rate	5g per m2
When	For best results sow in March/April or in September

Aftercare

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.

Product Questions

See all

Can I put this all over my lawn and mix with clover too? Will this be okay to replace my lawn? I have two dogs!

Question by: Octavia Holman on 17 Sept 2023, 01:16

Thank you for your question.

If you are planning to sow wildflower seed, I would first recommend that wherever you plan to sow it, you remove the existing grass / any weeds that are in the area.

You can sow wildflower seed into an existing grass lawn, but it has varying degrees of success, so it isn't something we recommend. The existing grass would choke out the wildflower seeds and would eventually take over. Once you have cleared the bed of the existing grass / weeds, it is safe to sow your wildflower seed into this area.

We do wildflower mixes with grass and some without - the main reason for including grass is to create a sustainable habitat for wildlife and to prevent weeds growing as the grass grows up and creates a nursery for the wildflowers.

Answer by: Roisin McCann (Admin) on 18 Sept 2023, 09:53

Hello, how long will the seed stay viable for, as only part of my garden is currently ready for sowing? Buying a kg would be much more cost effective, but I will only be able to sow some this year. Will it still be OK to sow the rest next year? Thank you.

Question by: Kara on 30 Sept 2022, 13:10

Hi Kara,

Thank you for your enquiry.

Our seed is all fresh so will be good for about 12 months, likely 18 in reality but the less time that passes the better!
Therefore if you store it in a cool, dry place and away from pests and it should be fine to sow next year

Answer by: Colm Hicks on 30 Sept 2022, 13:35

An area in semi shade. Grass won't grow as poor soil and limited moisture. Thinking of sowing mid September. Believe I hopefully will need to cut in April. Do I leave on the ground for a couple of days the rake up? All advise possible for this novice.

Question by: Anthony on 16 Aug 2022, 08:26

Hi Anthony, thank you for your question.

A wildflower meadow is a great addition to any garden or lawn. It is relatively low maintenance, and they will establish in poor soils where the nutrient content isn’t the best.

If the area is in partial/dappled shade, you could look into trying our SIMPLY: Wildflowers, Flowering Meadow or Bees & Pollinators mixes.

If the area is very shady, you could look into our wildflower mix specifically for shaded areas, Shaded Area Wildflowers. This mix consists of annual and perennial wildflowers and grasses that will tolerate damp and shaded areas.

Autumn is an ideal time to sow wildflowers as the seeds need to undergo the process of stratification (a freeze) to kick start their germination. In March / April time, 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, to help encourage perennial species to spread.

Here is our step by step guide on how to prep and sow a wildflower meadow.

1. 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
2. Further, remove the top 5-10cm to reduce soil fertility
3. Allow the area to cultivate for several weeks, and remove any weeds that may pop in the area during this time
4. Do not be tempted to add topsoil, compost or fertiliser to the area - wildflowers prefer low nutrient conditions
5. After the cultivation period ensure to remove stones or any other debris and rake the area to create a fine, friable and level seedbed
6. Scatter the seed at a rate of 5g per m2
7. Rake the seed so that it is in amongst the soil
8. Water the just-sown wildflower seed well
If sowing in drought conditions, water is required to keep the area moist in the first 6 weeks after sowing.

We do have a few blog posts on our website that go into more detail on sowing wildflowers and wildflower management. Here are some links you may like to check out:
https://thegrasspeople.com/establish-wildflower-meadow/
https://thegrasspeople.com/manage-wildflower-meadow

Answer by: Helen McGale on 16 Aug 2022, 10:26

I purchased the beginners wildflower seed and sowed them in September.
I see you are meant to mow by the middle of April?
What should i do if the height is nowhere near 10cms?? Help please!

Question by: Irene Andrew on 25 Mar 2022, 16:40

Hi Irene,

Thank you for your enquiry. We have emailed to ask you for some photos so we can see how your wildflower meadow is coming along and hopefully identify some species due to bloom soon for you.

Look forward to speaking to you soon

Many Thanks
Roisin

Answer by: Anna Crockard on 28 Mar 2022, 16:20

We are thinking of seeding our 20m x 10m front lawn with wild flower seeds and wanted to get some advice. The lawn is of poor quality with a great deal of moss, clover, daisies and some wild flowers. I was intending to use a petrol scarifier to really give the lawn a thorough de-thatch and then scatter som Simply Wildflowers seeds. Do you think this enough preparation or should I be doing more?

Thanks in advance

Question by: Paul Streeter on 17 Mar 2022, 11:20

Hi there, thanks for your question. I have included our recommended preparation guide ahead of sowing wildflowers, which is hope is helpful to you.
When sowing any wildflower mix, we recommend removing any existing grass, weeds and flora from the area as this will prevent the seed from establishing. You should then:

● 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

Answer by: Martin Muldoon on 17 Mar 2022, 14:29

I have started to remove turf and top soil in order to provide a bed for the meadow seed. I find that beneath the turf and soil is I thick geo fabric. Should I remove the fabric?

Question by: Nigel Maguire on 3 Sept 2021, 12:07

Hi Nigel, it really depends on deep the seedbed is. If it is quite shallow then yes it is probably best to remove, however if you have a depth of at least 15cm then it shouldn't be an issue.

Answer by: Roisin McCann on 3 Sept 2021, 13:19

Is 0.15 kg of seed correct for 10m long by 3M wide garden?

Question by: Marguerite Broadley on 19 Apr 2021, 12:48

Hi Marguerite

Yes, that is correct. T he recommended spreading rate for the wildflower is 5g per m2

Answer by: Roisin McCann on 19 Apr 2021, 13:16