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Selecting wildflower bulbs Native Wildflower bulbs provide a useful and easy way to establish wildflowers in shaded areas and existing grasslands. Generally bulbs fall into 2 categories: Woodland Wildflower bulbs such as Bluebells, Snowdrops, Aconites, Wood Anemone, and Ransoms (Wild Garlic) are suitable for planting into bare areas of soil rich in leaf mould and with plenty of shade. Spring meadow Wildflower bulbs such as Star of Bethlehem, Wild daffodils, Wild tulip, and S

Planning Before attempting to create a Wildflower meadow, there are a number of factors which should be given due consideration. From the outset it should be fully understood that wildflower meadows do require management and regular cutting is an important part of how to create a wildflower meadow. This will include several cuts during the first year to a height of around 3.5 to 4 inches followed by further cutting, albeit less frequently in subsequent years as the competitio

Before sowing any  wildflower meadow mixture consideration should always be given to the soil type and situation. Most soils fall into the category of clay, sandy or loam (midway between sand and clay). Other less frequently encountered soils include acid (e.g. peat) and chalk or limestone. Consideration should also be given to the light levels, which if low may mean a woodland mixture is required. Similarly if the soil is unusually moist, a wet soil or pond edge mix may be n

Purple loosestrife seeds should be sown in trays of compost in spring or autumn. Seeds do not require any special treatment but following sowing, the trays should be kept moist. Once germinated, the seedlings can be pricked out and grown on, for planting out later in the year. When fully rooted Purple loosestrife plug plants can be introduced to their permanent planting positions from late spring through to October. Initially they should be kept well watered and left to devel

One of the many benefits of growing wildflowers is that they will attract a wide variety of insects including butterflies and moths. Wild meadow grasses will also attract butterflies, in particular meadow browns and skippers. Butterflies will visit many wildflowers for the pollen and nectar, drawn by the sweet scent. Then there are specific wildflowers that will act as host plants for breeding butterflies. Often a particular species of butterfly will have it’s own specific ho