With suitable choice of species, wildflower meadows can produce a visually acceptable effect on difficult soils or subsoils more readily than pure grass. However they require greater ecological knowledge in species selection and establishment than pure grass.

Ready made mixtures are obtainable from Herbiseed. These make it simple to sow large areas with a homogenous mixture of suitable species. Greater diversity and visual appeal can be achieved by sowing a low maintenance grass mixture over the whole area, then immediately hand broadcasting selected wildflower species in individual areas within it. This produces patches of different species in appropriate areas, for example tall species at the back, short species on banks, shade species under trees, spring flowers near paths etc. This method is particularly suited to small areas on topographically varied sites.

Some don’ts

	Do not sow into weedy ground. Wildflowers cannot compete with weeds.
	Do not use standard 'motorway mix' of grass seed. It is too vigorous and looks unkempt.
	Do not use topsoil - it contains weed seeds which must be eliminated before sowing the meadow.
	Do not use ryegrass (Lolium spp). which is too competitive and untidy.
	Do not irrigate to force germination, but do irrigate to maintain growth if necessary after the majority of seedlings have emerged.

Where it is necessary to import substrate, segregate different materials (sand, clay etc.) on to areas where their diversity can permit growing species with different soil requirements. Smooth substrate to contours which permit occasional mowing. Prevent any weeds which appear from seeding and eliminate any perennial weeds imported with the substrate by spraying with a suitable systemic herbicide. More details on the importance and methods of weed control are included in Herbiseed Brief Wildflower Guide No. 2.

Immediately before commencing final land preparation, spray any weeds present with a non-persistent herbicide. Use a power harrow to produce a firm, moderate tilth. Do not use a rotavator, which tends to leave a fine seedbed liable to cap.

Sow a low maintenance grass mixture over the whole area. Herbiseed can supply suitable blends of Festuca rubra, Agrostis capillaris and Cynosurus cristatus cultivars. In chemically contaminated or extremely dry sites, the variety ‘Merlin’ is recommended. Variety in growth habit and flower shape can be added by including additional slow growing grass species adapted to the site. These can be sown in patches in the same way as the wildflowers. Harrow lightly to cover the grass seed.

Hand scatter the individual species of wildflower seed in the selected areas, ensuring, by raking if necessary, that the patches integrate with each other and do not have a sharp edge. Roll the whole area with a Cambridge roller. If the seed emerges and dry weather ensues irrigate with a fine spray, applying at least one inch of water per irrigation.

Best results are obtained with a September sowing. Winter and spring sowings are usually successful, but sowing should be avoided between 31 April and 1 September.

Species mixtures

One of the Herbiseed standard mixtures will be appropriate for many sites. Alternatively, Herbiseed can formulate a mixture to your specifications. A list of wildflowers which have a wide ecological tolerance and are therefore easy to establish are included in the following table. If species adapted to specific habitats such as wetlands, woodlands and hedgerows are required, please consult Herbiseed Brief Wildflower Guide No. 7.

Herbiseed, New Farm, Mire Lane, West End, Twyford, RG10 0NJ, England.
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