Wild flowers are becoming increasingly popular and rightfully so! Not only do wild flowers look beautiful but they are hugely important for biodiversity. They are a highly attractive food source for pollinating insects like bees and butterflies amongst others. Did you know many species of butterflies only lay their eggs on wildflowers? Not forgetting in turn, they also provide food for other creatures such as birds.
Wildflower meadows also provide cover for amphibians and other small creatures and allow them to make a home.
And if that wasn’t enough, like all plants they absorb CO2 and pollution from the air. Grassland soil helps to reduce greenhouse gases, helping us with the fight against climate change.
Tips for your own wild flowers
The more wild flowers you can plant the better, but you don’t have to have a meadow to enjoy wild flowers. You can plant them in pots or raised beds, window boxes or a small section of your garden.
The larger area you can add wild flowers too the better! You will be creating a greater benefit to the local wildlife.
Wild Flower Tips
- The planting area needs to be as sunny and open as possible.
- Wild flowers grow best in low quality soil. Do not use any compost or fertiliser as this will encourage grass to grow and out compete the flowers.
- The best time to sow seeds and start your wild meadow is in the autumn, but you can also plant in spring.
- Always use UK native seeds, even better if you can use local seeds to your area.
- If planting for a meadow use a seed mix that includes yellow rattle. This particular seed is a parasite to grass so will stop it growing, giving your flowers a better chance of establishing.
