CREATE AN INSTANT WILDFLOWER MEADOW AS SEEN AT THE OLYMPIC PARK.

A Wildflower Meadow Mat is a mix of British wildflowers and grasses designed to create a natural wildflower meadow.


A mix of 50:50 wildflowers and meadow grasses it is planted at the correct density for optimum establishment and to provide a prolonged flowering period for biodiversity and visual interest. Ideal for creating traditional wildflower meadows which complement the local habitat. Flowering height is 40-60cm.

There are 20 carefully chosen British wildflower species sown into a Wildflower Meadow Mat. They have been chosen so that different plants flower at different times during the flowering season providing a dynamic and ever changing display and an important nectar source for bees, butterflies and other insects.

The grasses in the mix are all native to the British Isles and are chosen to complement the flowers and not compete with them. Their seed heads are visually attractive provide a valuable food source for birds.

The soil type that the meadow is established in will determine the type of flowers which grow best and the mixture will adapt according to the rainfall and temperature in different seasons.


It is easy to create your wildflower meadow with a Wildflower Meadow Turf.

Wildflowers are notoriously difficult to establish when grown from seed, or even as small plug plants, in an existing lawn or meadow as they are often out competed by other more aggressive grasses and weeds.

Wildflower Turf comes as a ready to roll out pre-grown meadow in a moisture retentive felt carpet. The felt medium that the plants are growing in acts as a grass/weed barrier which retains moisture and helps the wildflowers to establish quickly in the soil below.

Preparation

Existing vegetation should be removed and a light tilth prepared.
For best results the soil should be free draining and not compacted. Wildflowers perform best in hungry soils as high fertility will encourage more competitive grasses and weeds. If necessary remove rich top soil.
Do not fertilise either before or after laying.

Laying

Simply roll out The Wildflower on to damp ground. Peg down the 'carpet' if on steep slopes or undulating ground.
Water thoroughly after laying. Do not allow the Wildflower to dry out during establishment.

Maintenance

Once established, the Wildflower needs very little maintenance. In the autumn after the plants have shed their seed, cut the plants back to 50-75mm in length using a strimmer or mower and collect and remove the cuttings.
On more fertile ground, an additional cut may be required in early spring to control dominant grasses.

The wildflower species that can be included in the mix are listed below with their environmental benefits.

Common name: Betony
Latin name: Stachys officinalis
Height: Up to 75cm

An increasingly rare wildflower. Flourishes in semi-shade and produces nectar. Magenta flowers June to September. Particularly attractive to Speckled Yellow Butterfly.

Common name: Bird's-foot trefoil
Latin name: Lotus corniculatus
Height: 20-40cm

A particular favourite of butterflies and moths. Produces yellow nectar rich flowers from May to September. Distinctive seed pods. Excellent plant for bees.

Common name: Cat's Ear
Latin name: Hypochaeries radicata
Height: Up to 60cm

A good nectar plant and excellent drought survivor. Yellow dandelion flowers June to October. Favourite of Feathered Footman Moth. Native of meadows and pastures, grassy dunes and waysides.

Common name: Common vetch
Latin name: Vicia sativa ssp nigra
Height: 15-40cm

Pink/purple flowers from June onwards. Very attractive to bees and the Pea Moth. An annual for sunny sites. Can be erect, trailing or scrambling. Producer of nectar.

Common name: Cowslip
Latin name: Primula veris
Height: Up to 25cm

Yellow upright flowers April to May. Excellent source of nectar and very popular with butterflies and moths. Favours full exposure to sun. Native of meadows and pastures on basic and especially calcareous soils.

Common name: Field geranium
Latin name: Geranium pratense
Height: Up to 90cm

Native of meadows and roadsides. Bright blue flowers June to September. Good nectar plant and attractive to Brown Argus Butterfly. Flourishes in sunny sites and makes a good border plant.

Common name: Lady's bedstraw
Latin name: Gallium verum
Height: Up to 80cm

Low growing plant spreading ground cover with yellow flowers June-August. Attracts a wide variety of butterflies and moths and smells of honey.

Common name: Lesser knapweed
Latin name: Centaurea nigra
Height: Up to 100cm

Mauve thistle like flowers June to September. Excellent nectar provider for bees and butterflies. Birds, especially finches like its seeds.

Common name: Meadow Buttercup
Latin name: Ranunculus acris
Height: Up to 50cm

Common grassland meadow plant. Yellow flowers May to September. Rich in nectar and attractive to bees, butterflies and moths especially Flame Brocade Moth.



All of the above can be purchased from one of our Sponsers, Lindum Turf Ltd, click the Lindum banner on the left of our web page and it will take you to their home site.