Wild at heart

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Wildflower meadows conjure up images of wafting summer breezes rippling through waves of colour, reminiscent of ‘the flowery meades’ of the past. They are also one of the richest habitats for wildlife, with the greater diversity of plants species, the more value to the wildlife.
In a long-established meadow in the countryside, you can find as many as 30 different species in a square metre and even higher numbers on chalkland.
Over the past hundred years, wildflower meadowland has declined due to more intense cropping and the spread of settlement. In areas left unmanaged, such as disused railway lines or old airfields, the wildflowers have re-established themselves.

Traditional meadowland
The traditional meadowland is not a natural environment, having originated from the farming practice of grazing animals and making hay. As the top layer of growth was continuously removed, woody species couldn’t become established, lowering the fertility levels of the soil. This allowed the grasses to become less dominant, enabling wildflowers to flourish.
You can bring this wonderful tapestry of grasses and flowers into your garden even in small spaces. As well as meadows, both large and mini-sized, you could create wildflower areas in garden beds or containers as well as sections of flowering lawns. Meadows should be placed where they will receive direct sunlight for most of the day, and they work well against backdrops of shrubs or hedges and at the end of the garden. Mown paths through tall summer meadows give definition and a sense of intent. Be inspired by the Kent gardens I have photographed and transform an area of your own.
To create a meadow takes more than just letting a rough section of grass grow wild: you need to tailor the planting to your conditions. It takes planning, commitment and patience. If you would like to try, February is a great time to locate the site, select appropriate seeds and prepare the area ready to plant in March or April for a summer meadow.

Wild flower meadows are one of the richest habitats for wildlife

Seed mixes are available for different soil types, both poor or fertile to create spring or summer meadows. There are blends for dry, heavy, chalky, moist or acidic soils in sunny, woodland, waterside and hedgerow habitats.
You can decide to introduce only native species or include appropriate species from other countries. Ideally, choose species native to your locality or of British origin grown by wildflower seed companies on their own land, not taken from the countryside.
The first step is to assess your site’s fertility. Wildflowers grow best on poor, dry soil as fertile soils allow grasses to overtake the less vigorous flowers. Perennial weeds such as dock, dandelions and thistles indicate fertile soils and these will need to be removed before sowing.
Start with a clean site, removing all perennial weeds. Dig or rotovate the soil, turning over the richer topsoil and burying it beneath poorer subsoil. If your topsoil is deep, remove it and replace with poorer soil. Firm down the soil and rake it level.

Silver sand
Leave the area for a few weeks and remove any germinating weeds. Sow the seed mix with silver sand to make it easier to broadcast evenly in drifts at a rate of around 3.75 grams per square metre. Rake it lightly, water well and firm down. You can also augment by planting some wildflower plugs.
Traditional meadow mixes of 80 per cent grasses and 20 per cent flowers bloom in their second year. The first year is for management to allow the seedlings to establish. Mow the area at least three times in the first year to a height of about 5cm, removing all cuttings so they cannot increase the soil’s fertility. This prevents seedlings being overshadowed by grasses and weeds.
In the second year, leave the meadow uncut until after flowering, around late September, and remember to remove all clippings. Once established, meadows are quite low in maintenance and will improve over time with many plants self seeding to reinforce the naturalistic effect.

Thriving
For a non-conventional meadow that flowers in the first summer, try a Cornfield mix using native and non-native hardy annuals such as cornflowers, marigolds and poppies. Sown in April, the display will be a riot of colour from June through to autumn. Unlike the meadow mixes they thrive in fertile soils, making them ideal for gardens or containers.
Hand weed or spray out any existing vegetation then turn over and break up the soil to create a fine seed bed. Lightly sow the seed, rake in well and firm down. At the end of flowering cut down and remove the stalks. In general this method will need repeated sowing each year.
In medieval times, ‘ the flowery meade’ was a flower-strewn plot of grass and was valued as a strolling and relaxing place. So much pleasure was gained from sitting on the turf that raised benches with turf seats were included in the design. Orchards also often included a flowering meade beneath the overhanging branches.
These traditions are continued today with wildflowers and bulbs carpeting lawns and grassy areas. Spring bulbs can be followed with wildflower plug plants. Areas of lawn can be mown less often in early summer to encourage some wild species to flower, such as speedwell, daisies, cat’s-ear and self-heal.
Meadows of all kinds can be glorious additions to the garden, whether purely wildflowers or enhanced with additional species. They make a harmonious medley, attractive to us and to a host of wildlife.

Tips for flowering meadows

• Wildflower seed mixes thrive best on poor soil
• Planning, preparation, patience and maintenance are the key words
• There are seed mixes for different conditions and soils
• Prepare ground now, ready to sow seeds in March/April or in autumn
• Don’t fertilise
• Water only in dry spells
• Grass and wildflower mixes can take time to establish
• Cut after flowering, in Sept/Oct on a sunny day after a period of dry weather
• If possible leave cuttings for a few days to shed seed, then remove
• Plant diversity leads to wildlife diversity
• Seedlings and plug plants can augment effect
• Sow annual cornfield mix for richer soils and flowering in the first year
• Meadow flowers can be grown in even the smallest space
• Cutting the flowers for the house will encourage the plants to produce more blooms
• Cut pathways through the meadow for definition and to allow you to enjoy the flowers and butterflies close up
• Once established, a maintenance programme will encourage desirable species and reduce the vigour of any rampant species
• Cut established meadows once or twice a year
• Be responsible, don’t scatter seeds in the countryside or spread into neighbouring areas

Words and pictures by Leigh Clapp

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