Planting a Wildflower Meadow

Planting a Wildflower Meadow
Planting & Growing Wildflowers - A (pro)green experience!

Ever fancied an alternative to grassland paddocks? Eager to reduce the mowing burden of a large back garden?

You are not alone – as the rise in wild flower meadow areas attests. Not only do wildflowers look like a colourful painters palette in full bloom but the benefits to insects as a habitat and source of nectar are boundless. Bees are especially at risk for various environmental, cultural and disease reasons so increased awareness of wildflower areas and meadows has grown along with the highlighting of their plight.

For all these reasons planting wildflowers offer something beneficial to humans and fauna alike. Not wanting to miss out, ProGreen has planted a test bed so we can test the benefits…

wildflower meadow

Now in its second year of growth, the Hampton Meadow Grass & Wildflower Mix is alive with colourful varieties and a visit recently was not only a feast for the eyes but the noise from buzzing bees was incredible. The images show some of the varieties in this mix which includes: Corn Chamomile, Corn Cockle, Corn Marigold, Cornflower, Oxeye Daisy, Phacelia, Red Campion, Self Heal, White Campion, Yarrow...and many more.

The Phacelia is a particular favourite of ours for its colour and shape – and the bees were all over it.

wildflower phacelia
How did we create our wildflower meadow?

All credit goes to our dedicated trials officer Simon, who planted this wildflower area in April 2018 and it bloomed brilliantly in its first year. You can see the video here:

Following the end of the season, he swished the old seeding plants down with a strimmer, chopping it fairly fine and then left it over winter. This not only scattered the seed back into the soil for this years growth but provided nutrients back to the soil from the breakdown of plant matter and importantly shielded the germinating seed from the worst of a Lincolnshire winter.

After the worst frosts had passed this spring 2019, Simon raked off the large pieces of dead vegetation and hey presto! Lush growth with longlasting flushes of colours from the whole spectrum of the rainbow.

wildflower meadow

For more information on how to create your own wild flower meadow and the many other choices we offer – pure wildflower or grass/ wildflower mixes – just visit our website or call for advice & information.