Description
The shade, hedgerow & woodland wildflower mix contains species that are shade tolerant and are typically found growing in dappled woodland shade or along woodland edges and hedgerows. The mix can be used to add floristic interest to areas which receive a restricted amount of light.
Product Summary
| Type of Mix | Main Flowering Period | Sowing Rate | Bag Weight | Bag Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20% wildflower & 80% grass | June - September | 5 g/m2 | 0.25 kg | 50 m2 |
| 1 kg | 200 m2 | |||
| 100% wildflower | June - September | 2 g/m2 | 0.25 kg | 125 m2 |
Mixture
Wildflowers
| Scientific Name | Common Name | 80/20 mix | 100% mix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Achillea millefolium | Yarrow | 1.2% | 6.0% |
| Agrimonia eupatoria | Agrimony | 2.0% | 10.0% |
| Alliaria petiolata | Hedge garlic | 0.8% | 4.0% |
| Arum maculatum | Lords-and-ladies | 0.1% | 0.5% |
| Campanula trachelium | Nettle-leaved bellflower | 0.6% | 3.0% |
| Centaurea nigra | Common knapweed | 2.0% | 10.0% |
| Digitalis purpurea | Foxglove | 1.6% | 8.0% |
| Galium album | Hedge bedstraw | 0.8% | 4.0% |
| Geranium pyrenaicum | Hedgerow crane's bill | 0.2% | 1.0% |
| Geum urbanum | Wood Avens | 1.4% | 7.0% |
| Hypericum hirsutum | Hairy St John's wort | 0.8% | 4.0% |
| Knautia arvensis | Field scabious | 1.6% | 8.0% |
| Prunella vulgaris | Selfheal | 1.6% | 8.0% |
| Silene dioica | Red campion | 1.6% | 8.0% |
| Stachys sylvatica | Hedge woundwort | 1.0% | 5.0% |
| Teucrium scorodonia | Wood sage | 1.2% | 6.0% |
| Torilis japonica | Upright hedge parsley | 0.6% | 3.0% |
| Verbascum thapsus | Greater mullein | 0.1% | 0.5% |
| Vicia sepium | Bush vetch | 0.4% | 2.0% |
| Vicia sylvatica | Wood vetch | 0.4% | 2.0% |
Grasses
| Scientific Name | Common Name | 80/20 mix |
|---|---|---|
| Agrostis capillaris | Common bent | 8.0% |
| Anthoxanthum odoratum | Sweet vernal grass | 1.6% |
| Brachypodium sylvaticum | Wood false brome | 0.8% |
| Cynosaurus cristatus | Crested dogstail | 24.0% |
| Deschampsia cespitosa | Tufted-hair grass | 3.2% |
| Festuca rubra ssp commutata | Chewings fescue | 20.0% |
| Festuca rubra ssp litoralis | Slender creeping red fescue | 12.0% |
| Poa nemoralis | Wood meadow grass | 6.4% |
| Poa trivialis | Rough meadow grass | 4.0% |
Application Recommendations
Where to use
The shade, hedgerow & woodland wildflower mix can be sown in locations where light levels are restricted but which are not in complete darkness.
| Soil pH | Soil Types | Soil Fertility | Topography | Soil moisture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.5-7.5 | Any | Low nutrient | Lowland | Well drained |
When to use
In general, the best time for sowing perennial wildflower seeds is late summer/autumn (late August-October) when there is likely to be consistent moisture and warmth without extremes of cold or dry. Spring (late March-May) is usually considered the next best time to sow perennial wildflower seed, particularly if the ground is likely to be waterlogged over the winter.
| Application Window | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
How to use
| Prepare the ground | |
|---|---|
| New Seed Bed | Overseeding |
| Remove unwanted vegetation Cultivate the soil to a depth of 150 mm removing the stones and debris Level, then firm the seedbed Rake the surface to product a fine tilth |
Cut the grass short as possible and remove the clippings Remove excess thatch to allow the seed to reach the soil surface If compacted, aerate the soil |
| Provide water | |
| If there has been little rainfall irrigate gently and slowly to fully wet through the soil profile | |
| Sow seed | |
| Sow seeds evenly using the correct sowing rate for the seed mix Because sowing rates for wildflower seed are low, it is usually helpful to mix the seed with a carrier material such as slightly damp sand Press the seeds into the soil using a roller or the back of a rake to ensure good seed to soil contact |
|
| Provide water | |
| Keep the soil surface moist but not wet until the seeds have germinated AND established Irrigate slowly and gently to avoid disturbing the seeds |
|
Management & aftercare
In areas where there is a reasonable amount of light, such as woodland glades and rides, it is likely that the grasses will have good growth and the area can be managed as a meadow following the guidelines below for either livestock grazing or mowing.
In areas where there is a greater amount of shade and vegetation is not dense mowing can be undertaken less frequently on an as required basis to prevent a build of decaying vegetation.
Livestock grazing
Grazing with livestock is an effective method of managing wildflower meadows and grasslands because it creates uneven growth and distribution of species which leads to habitat niches. Grazing is also a good option in areas where it is difficult to utilise machinery, perhaps because it is too wet or because the ground is too rough.
| Suggested grazing regime | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Graze if ground conditions allow | Remove livestock to allow the plants to flower | Graze with between 0.4-1 LU/ha | |||||||||
Mowing
Mowing and removing the clippings can be used to replicate the process of hay cutting and grazing. It is important to remove clippings to avoid nutrients being returned to the soil. Soils for wildflowers are usually low in nutrients to encourage species diversity.
| 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 | |||||||
For further information regarding the Shade, hedgerow & woodland wildflower mix or to discuss placing a bulk order, please contact our technical sales team on 01952 897917.
Find more information in our guide How To Create and Maintain Wildflower and Ornamental Flowering Meadows