Wild Flower Meadow

[Jillyreeves]

With a view to attracting wildlife to the plot I have decided to give over an area to wild flowers and a nature pond. The area is in the process of been cleared and I have started to think about what to sow but I dont really have a clue

Can anyone offer advise or point me in the right direction please

[Nicos]

This is exactly what I want to do!!..I'll be watching this thread very very closely!!

[Alison]

I sorted a pond last year and it's established well but want some flowers round it this year. Have bought some mixed wildflower and bee attracting seeds which I will be sowing in about April so fingers crossed it'll all work. Don't really want to buy plants as it'll cost a fortune but may buy a couple. Oh yes, also have an apple tree nearby to provide some shade.

[coreopsis]

What kind of wildlife do you want to attract?
Last year I had so many flowers-bees seemed to ignore them all in favour of raspberries-there was a buzzing noise around them for quite a long time.Borage works brilliant with bees and looks lovely.If you have any more ideas of flowers I'd be interested

[Jillyreeves]

What kind of wildlife do you want to attract?
Last year I had so many flowers-bees seemed to ignore them all in favour of raspberries-there was a buzzing noise around them for quite a long time.Borage works brilliant with bees and looks lovely.If you have any more ideas of flowers I'd be interested

Butterflies and Bees

[lynda66]

i bought a couple of boxes of bee and butterfly wildflower mix from poundstretchers, think they were about £1.50 -2.00 for a box to cover 50sqm the borage in them was great for bumble bees they had em in other cheapy shops too like home bargains and B&M

[binley100]

I've bought some purple loosestrife and borage seeds from Ryton Organic .

[binley100]

What kind of wildlife do you want to attract?
Last year I had so many flowers-bees seemed to ignore them all in favour of raspberries-there was a buzzing noise around them for quite a long time.Borage works brilliant with bees and looks lovely.If you have any more ideas of flowers I'd be interested

I found the same thing so this year my runners are going near the raspberries.

[Jillyreeves]

Sorry Lynda66 - what is B&M

[Alison]

B&M is a cheapo shop, not sure if they're nationwide though.

[Jeanied]

If I get my usual crop of hesperis matronalis through (sweet rocket, very attractive to bees and moths) I will post on here if anyone is interested in some plantlets. It is nice to have a couple planted - they grow to about 3 ft tall - and self seed very easily.

[Snadger]

Just brought some Chrysanths in he greenhouse yesterday and the 10 inch pots have a matt of self sown Poached egg plants on them. The hoverflies love these so I might pot up a few to give early flowers indoors to plant around my Tomatoes!

[Jillyreeves]

If I get my usual crop of hesperis matronalis through (sweet rocket, very attractive to bees and moths) I will post on here if anyone is interested in some plantlets. It is nice to have a couple planted - they grow to about 3 ft tall - and self seed very easily.

Sweet Rocket looks very nice, I would be interested in some plantlets when they are ready

[Jeanied]

Hi Jilly - I'll pm you when they are ready!

[zazen999]

My poached egg plants at the lottie self seeded [thanks for the idea two-sheds] and have been flowering through the winter. They bring the bees in early in the season. And my dyer's chammomile is still just about flowering now....what a glorious find that was

For a wildflower meadow; remember not to put any fertiliser in the soil; they thrive on poor soil.