"Mike Lyle" wrote
"Larry Stoter" wrote in message
[...]
I presume you intend native wildflowers?

In which case, try to check the source of the seed. Some packs of
'native' wildflower seeds actually originate from outside the UK.
snip

For example, the UK varieties are probably prefered by UK insects and
more resistant to UK pests and diseases.

Good point. I can't remember the details, but there was an interesting
case with, I think, primroses. IIRC, a particular strain in the
northern Hebrides flowered at a very slightly different time, which
provided invertebrates exactly when they were wanted during the local
birds' breeding timetable. An introduced, but still British, strain
was a couple of weeks wrong, and the effect was measurable. That's
extreme, of course: I don't think many mainland ecosystems are
anything like that delicate -- I wouldn't worry much about, say,
"average" English seed in an "average" Scottish garden.

In this respect you may well find that wild flower nurseries in your
area make a point of raising as much of their stock as possible from
relatively locally harvested seed/ material. I also had some sound
advice from a couple of quite small, tucked away local nurseries about
what would grow in my particular conditions when I was trying to get my
wild area established, so it's a good idea to seek them out and chat to
the owners about what you're trying to do - they're often only too glad
to help.

Kate, if you'd like any Red Campion seed from E Anglia, I have some left
from last year's flowering that you're welcome to.

--
Sue