Species Rich Lawn & Landscape Wildflower Seed Mix – 20/80, Flexible Mowing, 1kg
A perennial 20/80 wildflower and grass seed mix for species-rich lawns and landscapes, suited to a varied management regime in terms of cutting height and frequency. As demand grows for better biodiversity on landscape projects, the lawn, often the largest soft landscaped surface of a scheme, is an easily overlooked chance to increase the species count.
The mix can be mown every couple of weeks at 75-100mm in more intensively managed areas, right through to a conventionally managed species-rich grassland that receives just one or two cuts a year. The longer the time between cuts, the more species will flower, giving extra benefit to pollinating insects.
Key Features
- Suits a varied management regime in cutting height and frequency
- Can be mown every couple of weeks at 75-100mm in intensively managed areas
- Or managed as species-rich grassland with just one or two cuts a year
- Longer intervals between cuts allow more species to flower for pollinating insects
From bare soil to a meadow
When to sow
The best time to sow perennial wildflower seed is generally late summer to autumn (late August to October), when there is likely to be consistent moisture and warmth without extremes of cold or dry. Spring (late March to May) is usually the next best time, particularly where the ground is likely to be waterlogged over winter.
| Application Window | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
How to sow
| 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 and 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 | Allow to flower and seed | Cut and collect clippings | Leave uncut unless growth is vigorous, but can be cut as frequently as once every fortnight if required | |||||||
Many grasslands and meadows are traditionally managed by grazing, but mowing and removing the clippings can be used to replicate hay cutting and grazing. Always remove the clippings so nutrients are not returned to the soil: wildflower soils are usually kept low in nutrients to encourage species diversity.
Specifications
| Sowing Rate | Flowering Height | Flowering Period |
|---|---|---|
| 5g/m2 | 5cm - 1m | May - December |
| 20% Wildflowers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Flower | % | Species |
| Autumn Hawkbit | 2 | Leontodon autumnalis |
| Black Knapweed | 7 | Centaurea nigra |
| Birdsfoot Trefoil | 5 | Lotus corniculatus |
| Black Medick | 5 | Medicago lupilina |
| Bulbous Buttercup | 1 | Ranunculus bulbosus |
| Common Cat's Ear | 1.5 | Hypochaeris radicata |
| Common Daisy | 0.5 | Bellis perennis |
| Cowslip | 1 | Primula veris |
| Field Pansy | 1 | Viola arvensis |
| Hoary Plantain | 3 | Plantago media |
| Kidney Vetch | 8 | Anthyllis vulnearia |
| Lady's Bedstraw | 12 | Galium verum |
| Meadow Buttercup | 14 | Ranunculus acris |
| Red Clover | 2 | Trifolium pratense |
| Ribwort Plantain | 2 | Plantago lancelota |
| White Clover | 1 | Trifolium repens |
| Ox-Eye Daisy | 9 | Leucanthermum vulgare |
| Rough Hawkbit | 1 | Leontodon hispidus |
| Selfheal | 15 | Prunella vulgaris |
| Sorrel | 5 | Rumex acetosa |
| Yarrow | 5 | Achillea millefolium |
| 80% Grasses | ||
|---|---|---|
| Grass | % | Species |
| Browntop Bent | 4 | Agrostis capillaris |
| Crested Dogstail | 27 | Cynosurus cristatus |
| Sheeps Fescue | 25 | Festuca ovina |
| Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass | 15 | Poa pratensis |
| Slender Creeping Red Fescue | 20 | Festuca rubra litoralis |
| Sweet Vernal | 4 | Anthoxanthum odoratum |
| Small Timothy | 5 | Pheleum bertolonii |
