This depends on the weather, location, elevation, orientation to the sun, and prevailing winds for the planting area. However, as a general principle from late April/early May onwards is a good time to plan once the colder Spring weather has stopped, and sustained periods of warmer weather are forecast.

i) Start by removing all existing weeds, grass and other material from the selected planting area or plant holders. ii) Once the weeds and grass have been removed, prepare the soil to a fine crumbly tilth ready for sowing your wildflower meadow seeds. iii) Sow the seeds about 1.5-2cm deep and cover them over with the loose earth and then press down on the planted areas with your hand, a length of flat timber or boots. This is a key step as contact of the soil on all sides of the seed helps germination. iv) Use 3 grams/1 square meter, or split the mix to suit your planting plan. v) Ensure good light levels to help successful germination. Water regularly but sparingly especially in the first 4-6 weeks.. vi) Green shoots (nurse grasses) will appear within 7 - 10 days. vii) The wildflowers themselves will appear depending upon species - some may take only a few weeks, while others can take several months. viii) Remove grass or weeds from the planting area regularly so wildflowers get as many nutrients and water as possible.

The great thing about wildflower meadow plants is that you can use them in many different ways. Flower pots, window boxes, patios, gardens, allotments, and re-wilding projects are just some of the examples we have seen. Choose a south-facing s[pot or one with 6 hours sun light each day. Sadly, over the years many established wildflower meadows have been lost. However, every urban, semi-urban, or rural habitat that contains a new area of these plants, no matter how small or large will provide a colourful display appealing to the human eye, and crucially nectar-bearing habitat and cover that will benefit nature too.

Water regularly but sparingly when the seeds are first planted, not allowing the earth to dry or flooding the seeds by over-watering which could cause them to rot. Green shoots, or what are called nurse grasses, will appear within 7 - 10 days. Maintain a careful watering regime to reflect how dry and warm the weather is. This will vary depending on whether the plants are in pots or window boxes which will dry out faster in hot weather or in the ground, where the roots for each plant will tap moisture below the surface.

Annuals will give you a colourful display in the first season and will benefit wildlife at the same time. They are easy to sew and manage providing plenty of varied colours and various plant heights, as well as that all-important nectar for the bees and other insects to enjoy. Perennials will give you a colourful display in the first season, and will over-winter to also flower in the second season too. Biennials will grow in the first season and flower in the second season.

Cold-climate plants cannot afford for seeds to germinate in the warm temperatures of late summer because the resulting plants might not survive long enough – due to winter frosts – to set seed themselves and continue nature’s cycle. You can trick the seed into believing it has already experienced winter and is now ready to grow in spring by placing the seeds in a fridge or freezer for a short time. This is called stratification. Placing the seeds in the fridge or freezer aims to speed up the ‘cold’ period, and is the nearest thing to a ‘calendar’ to tell the seeds when to germinate.

The difference between annual, perennial, and biennial plants comes down to how many years they live. Annuals live for one year, biennials live for two years, and perennials live for more than two years. Depending on the planting plan you can certainly mix Annuals, Perennials, and Biennials. Key considerations will be colour, height of plants, locations, elevation, and soil type. Our Premium 8 Species and 16 Species Mixes are designed to be colourful and long-flowering whilst also being high nectar-bearing as well. We offer Yellow Rattle in separate tubes as well as in 16 Species Mix as a means to accelerate the creation and expansion of biodiverse habitats.

Yellow Rattle is hemiparasitic and is used to create or restore wildflower meadow habitats, where it maintains species diversity by suppressing dominant grasses, recycling soil nutrients, and allowing other species to thrive. Its yellow flowers make way for seed pods that move in the wind and give the plant its name. The disc-shaped seeds are sown thinly from August to November - to germinate the following spring. The seeds need to remain in the soil throughout the winter months so that the frosts trigger germination. A process called vernalization.

Yes, we were asked this question recently. We would say "no". Non-indigenous reptiles such as tortoises will not possess the innate knowledge of indigenous animals and birds which know what plants to consume or avoid - and when. Like many plants around the world, native wildflowers have certain characteristics that protect them. The bitter taste for livestock (Yellow Rattle), their prickly flowerhead shapes (Teasel), or their smell (Hedge Woundwort).

Annual plants complete their life cycle in one growing season. Some examples are Corn Chamomile (White), Corn Marigold (Yellow), Cornflower (Blue), Common Poppy (Red), Dame's Violet (Dark Pink), English Marigold (Light Orange), Nodding Catchfly (Light Pink) and Wild Carrot (White). These are all found in our Premium 8 Species Mix.

Biennial plants are planted in one year, grow through the year, grow on, and flower during the next year. Wild Carrot (White). Teasel, (Light Purple), Honesty (Light Purple), Sweet Rocket (Light Purple) and Angelica (Light Green). White Carrot is found in our Premium 16 Species Mix. We selected it for its nectar-bearing characteristics.

Perennial plants grow strong year after year flowering in year 1 and in year 2. Some examples are Common Bird's-foot Trefoil (Yellow), Black Medick (Yellow), Red Campion (Light Pink), White Campion (White), Cornflower (Blue), Ox-eye Daisy (White), Common Knapweed (Purple), Greater Knapweed (Purple), English Marigold (Yellow), Ribwort Plantain (White), Common Poppy (Red), Sainfoin (Pink), Self Heal (Purple), Salad Burnett (Crimson), Yellow Rattle (Yellow) and Wild Carrot (White). These are all found in our Premium 16 Species Mix.

It has been suggested British Woodland stores up to 1.4 tonnes of carbon per year per hectare, whilst grasslands and meadows can store up to 3 tonnes per hectare.

A mixture of folklore, medicinal, seasonal, and visual signs lie behind the names of many wildflowers. Add to this regional variations and much else besides. Plants with ‘Wort’ in the name are derived from the Old English word ‘Wyrt’, meaning plant, herb or root. Generally speaking, the suffix ‘wort’ came to be attached to plants that were considered beneficial: with utility value, such as Soapwort; or with medicinal properties, such as Bruisewort. Not all plants with perceived medicinal utility have the suffix ‘wort’ though. Some plants were named after their supposed similarity in shape and appearance to animals (Cat's Tail, Crow's Foot, and Goat's Beard) or human traits ( Maiden Hair, Old Man's Beard, Shepherd's Purse). For habitat recovery and to expand biodiversty, one of our favourites is Yellow Rattle. When the flowers fade the seeds ripen in the brown pod and "rattle" when brushed against. Yellow Rattle is hemiparasitic and is used to create or restore wildflower meadow habitats, where it maintains species diversity by suppressing dominant grasses, recycling soil nutrients, and allowing other species to thrive. The disc-shaped seeds are sown thinly from August to November - to germinate the following spring. The seeds need to remain in the soil throughout the winter months so that the frosts trigger germination. A process called vernalization.

Since the 1930s, the UK has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows, which is a staggering amount. Established wildflower meadows have complex root systems, which makes the soil very stable. This helps to mitigate flooding by holding on to rainwater, and stops nutrients from washing away. Wildflowers provide bees, butterflies and other pollinators with food throughout the year. On a single day in summer, one acre of wildflower meadow can contain 3 million flowers, producing 1 kg of nectar sugar. That’s enough to support nearly 96,000 honey bees per day. A single healthy meadow can be home to over 100 species of wildflowers, which in turn supports other meadow wildlife. For example, the common bird’s-foot trefoil is a food plant for 160 species of insects, which in turn support mammals and birds such as shrews and lapwings. Source: WWF

Fast-growing trees certainly have a role in arresting climate change and there are popular schemes to support this. However, they are not a silver bullet. A blended approach that combines the planting of new trees, the protection of existing wildflower meadow habitat, the maintenance and retention of hedge lines, and the provision of new wildflower habitats in urban, semi-urban, and rural locations will stimulate landscape - expanding biodiversity and stimulating habitat recovery.