Cornfield Annuals Wildflower Seed Mix 1kg – 20% Annual Wildflowers & 80% Meadow Grasses, Spring or Autumn Sowing, Colour in First Year
A versatile, striking mix of 20% annual wildflower seed and 80% meadow grasses.
This traditional cornfield annuals mix can be sown in either spring or autumn and gives a bright display of colour in its first year. It copes with a wide range of soil types and can be harrowed and re-sown in later years, or the grasses can be left in place and managed under a 'long grass' policy or brought into a more regular mowing regime.
Key Features
- Classic selection of cornfield annual wildflowers
- Blend of 20% wildflowers and 80% grasses
- Can be sown in spring or autumn
- Colourful flowering display in the first year
- Suits a wide range of soil types
- Can be harrowed and re-sown in following years, or the grasses retained and managed as long grass or in a regular mowing regime
From bare soil to a meadow
When to Sow
Generally, late summer/autumn (late August-October) is the best time to sow perennial wildflower seed, as there is likely to be steady moisture and warmth without extremes of cold or drought. Spring (late March-May) is normally the next best time, especially where the ground is prone to waterlogging over winter.
| Application Window | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
Prepare the ground
| New Seed Bed | Overseeding |
|---|---|
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| Provide water | |
| If there has been little rainfall irrigate gently and slowly to fully wet through the soil profile | |
| Sow seed | |
| |
| Provide water | |
| |
Management & aftercare
| Suggested mowing regime | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Leave uncut unless growth is vigorous | Cut and collect clippings | Leave soil bare to allow germination and/or sow new seed | Allow to flower and seed | Leave uncut until spring | |||||||
If you do not need to keep managing the area as a wildflower meadow, in March-May you can instead just cut and collect the clippings, carrying on managing it as long grass by cutting 1-3 times per year.
Grasslands and meadows have traditionally been managed by grazing, but mowing and taking away the clippings can mimic hay cutting and grazing. Removing clippings is important so nutrients are not returned to the soil, as wildflower soils are normally low in nutrients to encourage a greater diversity of species.
Specifications
| Sowing Rate | Flowering Height | Flowering Period |
|---|---|---|
| 5g/m2 | 5cm - 1.2m | May - October |
| 20% Wildflowers | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common name | % | Species | Height (cm) | Colour | Period |
| Corn Cockle | 50 | Agrostemma githago | 60-120 | Purple | June-August |
| Corn Flower | 25 | Centaurea cyanus | 30-60 | Blue | June-August |
| Corn Marigold | 10 | Chrysanthemum segetum | 15-45 | Yellow | June-October |
| Corn Poppy | 10 | Papaver rhoeas | 30-60 | Red | June-September |
| Corn Chamomile | 5 | Anthemis arvensis | 15-50 | White | June-July |
| 80% Grasses | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Common name | % | Species | Height (cm) |
| Browntop Bent | 5 | Agrostis capillaris | 10-70 |
| Crested Dogstail | 25 | Cynosurus cristatus | 5-75 |
| Hard Fescue | 20 | Festuca trachyphylla | 15-70 |
| Sheeps Fescue | 10 | Festuca ovina | 20-60 |
| Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass | 10 | Poa pratensis | - |
| Red Fescue | 30 | Festuca rubra | 15-90 |
