Over the last few years, we’ve planted annual native wildflower seed mixes in our tree pits, and although they’ve looked fantastic, by the end of July (and some years August), most of the blooms are over. This spring, during Sarah Raven’s ‘Bees, butterflies and blooms’ on BBC TV, I was wowed by some of the wildflower mixes designed by Pictorial Meadows in Sheffield (and also by the lady herself, who produced 3 truly inspiring 1 hour programmes-clips still available on iPlayer). By adding some non-natives, mixes have been created so that flowers will continue to perform later in the year too. From nine tempting annual combinations, I plumped for ‘Candy Mix’, sowed seeds at the beginning of April and at the moment fairy toadflax (Linaria moroccana ‘Fairy Bouquet Mixed’) is looking delightful with clusters of delicate snapdragon-like flowers glowing like little jewels. You can probably also notice Californian poppies (Eschscholzia) just starting to join the colourful throng too.
I only planted up a small triangle of wildflowers (about 3 square metres in total), but the effect is mesmerizing and has the power to transport you to open fields where you can breathe in the fresh country air and relax your pace a little too (or is it just me?). It would be lovely to plant the whole corner plot with wildflowers, but then where would that leave my veg?
Decisions, decisions and now longing for acres (or at least one) of land to experiment in.
Thanks for the reminder. I have packets of wildflower seed I was given for mentoring on a young people’s beekeeping course and was wondering about sowing it in my only spare space – a partially shady west-facing corner where I’d love to put a natural beehive one day – or even in a spare window-box, now that the weather’s finally become warmer and the seeds might even sprout.
Hi Diana, Am interested to know how your sowing progresses. We planted a wildflower mix in an old suitcase in mid April and all is growing well and about to flower!
Hi it looks great. I’ve tried this year several times to sow wildflower seeds without success. I’ve tried several different packets or boxes of seeds, its been a heartbreaking no show
Can you tell me the name of the programme please on bbc iplayer so I can watch it please.
Hi Gaynor, The name of the programme is ‘Bees, butterflies and blooms’ and although you can’t see the entire programme on iPlayer, clips are available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b013pw23/episodes/guide. Are you planting on bare soil or are you trying to establish a meadow in grass? I cleared the soil entirely before planting, and think it’s much easier to get wildflowers going in this way. Sowing seeds in April or May is generally the best time, but last year it was so dry, this may have been a problem. This year I just sowed the seeds, didn’t need to water in and although they took a while to get going as it’s been so cold, they eventually started to grow as we had a bit of heat every now and then. Hope this helps. Naomi
Very taken with the splendidly named fairy toadflax, which is pretty and unusual.
Hi Nicolette, yes, unexpected and beautiful. Another plant on next year’s list!
They’re gorgeous. They were great programmes, weren’t they? It’s the only problem with gardening, there is never enough space. I think a quarter to half an acre would be nice. It seems that any bigger and you start to need help and being to afford the land is one thing, to pay for help is another. Although saying that, looking at my back garden at the moment I don’t seem to be able to keep on top of that and that is a tiny smidgeon of an acre!
Hi WW, my back garden in a bit of a state too so I agree, less than an acre would probably be perfect (in my dreams!)
It’s always a dilemma isn’t it wanting different planting styles but with limited space.
I loved the last post on Freckles’ now in the diary for next year.
Hi Sue , Yes, constantly wanting to rip it up and start again due to space issues and constant changing of tastes and ideas.
Glad you like Freckles post. Never had such great salads from my own garden! It’s been a real treat.
I love sowing wildflowers!This year we’ve tried Meadow in my Garden seeds – they’re making slow progress but they’re starting to come through. If you like, you can see them on our blog at http://www.woollygreen.com/2012/05/24/sowing-a-wildflower-meadow/ – one of my favourite parts of the growing season. Love your blog!🙂
Hi Wooly Green, looking forward to seeing your meadow. Do send a link when you post some pics. V.best Naomi