Create a mini wildflower meadow

30th December, 2022

A mini native British wildflower meadow is a wonderful addition to any garden, providing a beautiful and naturalistic setting while also being beneficial for local wildlife. Here are ten great plants to include in your meadow, along with some interesting facts about them:

Common Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)

A classic wildflower, the common poppy is a striking addition to any meadow with its vibrant red petals. These flowers are also an important source of nectar for bees and other insects.

Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)

A beautiful blue flower, cornflowers were once a common sight in British meadows and fields. However, they have declined in recent years due to the intensification of agriculture. They are now a protected species in the UK.

Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)

An unusual-looking plant with ruffled, yellow-green leaves, lady’s mantle is a pretty addition to any meadow. The leaves of this plant are said to have healing properties and were once used to treat wounds.

Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris)

A common sight in British meadows, the meadow buttercup is a yellow flower that is very attractive to bees. The plant gets its name from the fact that the leaves are said to resemble buttercups.

Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)

A white flower with a yellow centre, the ox-eye daisy is a bold wildflower. These flowers are very popular with bees and other insects and are a key source of nectar in the summer months.

Red Campion (Silene dioica)

A pink or red flower with a long tubular shape, red campion is a common sight in British meadows. The flowers of this plant are very attractive to night-flying insects such as moths.

Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris)

A pretty purple flower, self-heal is a common sight in British meadows and hedgerows. The plant gets its name from the fact that the leaves were once used to treat cuts and wounds.

Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys)

A blue or violet flower, speedwell is a common sight in British meadows. The plant gets its name from the fact that the flowers were once used to treat a range of ailments, including eye problems.

Tormentil (Potentilla erecta)

A small yellow flower, tormentil is a common sight in British meadows. The plant gets its name from the fact that the roots were once used to treat a range of ailments, including diarrhoea.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

A white or pink flower, yarrow is a common sight in British meadows. The plant gets its name from the fact that the leaves were once used to treat wounds.

To create a mini wildflower meadow, fork over the area, removing grass, and stones. Rake the soil, then scatter the seeds, ensuring they are spread all over the area. Adding some dry sand to the seed can help with this. Gently press the soil with the back of a rake, to ensre the seeds are not loose, and are settled into the soil. If it is dry weather, water the area once a week, until the seeds start to geminate. A bird scarer is worth adding to the area, to prevent birds like pigeons, from eating all the seeds. 

After a few weeks, the seeds should be all growing, and in the second month from sowing some should start flowering. A mini wildlfower meadow requires a lot less mowing than turf lawns. Do the first mow at the end of summer, using shears or a scythe to get rid of the thickness first. Then remove all the dead flowers/hay, so the cuttings don't rot and fertilise the ground, which will encourage tough grasses to grow, that will crowd out wildflowers the following year. The dead matter left on the ground can also stop fallen seeds from germinating. Repeat the mowing a few more times until late autumn, removing debris each time. The next year, the wildflowers should all grow again from wind blown and fallen seeds.