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#16
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wildflowers
"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 |
#18
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wildflowers
Mike raised the point of grasses dominating - to hep prevent this make
sure you have some Yellow rattle - which is a parasite of grasses. The seed is expensive, is often included in blends, but if the mix is lacking - then this is a cse in question for using plugs over seed Clifford Bawtry, Doncaster |
#19
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wildflowers
Kate Morgan wrote: I would like to turn one corner of the garden and possibly down the drive into a wildflower patch and cannot decide which to use, seeds or plugs, any advice or thoughts appreciated Out of curiosity, what are the approx dimensions of your 'corner'? It's important so that you know how much seeds to use (taking into account the self seeding). We successfully did a meadow 5mx7m by a block of flats in the city centre and in it's 3rd year it was beautiful. We made another one about 7 years ago, and now the camomille is taking over - that's because we didn't really think about the dimensions to start with! We've used no grass seeds, because it will smother all your seeds eventually (and also attracts slugs) but also once you cut (3 times a year your mini meadow) the dead grass will prevent your flowers to grow and moss will settle underneath. Plugs are expensive and as K said and so much more prone to slugs. I lost myself in this meadow last year in Longford park in Manchester, at its 'white' peak, after it was 'yellow' and then 'red and blue' ) http://cjoint.com/?bos1Tgs8Ub |
#20
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wildflowers
cliff_the_gardener wrote:
Mike raised the point of grasses dominating - to hep prevent this make sure you have some Yellow rattle - which is a parasite of grasses. The seed is expensive, is often included in blends, but if the mix is lacking - then this is a cse in question for using plugs over seed Clifford Bawtry, Doncaster I collected some yellow rattle seed myself from a local reserve and spread in my 'meadow' area. Not only did it do very well but the effect on the grass is very obvious - half the height in those patches with yellow rattle compared with areas without yellow rattle. -- Larry Stoter |
#21
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wildflowers
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. Sorry I have been so long answering, gremlins in my p.c. all better now I hope. Thank you for your kind offer but I do have some Red Campion, it strayed in from the lane, honest :-) but it was kind of you to offer. kate |
#22
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wildflowers
Kate Morgan wrote: I would like to turn one corner of the garden and possibly down the drive into a wildflower patch and cannot decide which to use, seeds or plugs, any advice or thoughts appreciated Out of curiosity, what are the approx dimensions of your 'corner'? It's important so that you know how much seeds to use (taking into account the self seeding). We successfully did a meadow 5mx7m by a block of flats in the city centre and in it's 3rd year it was beautiful. We made another one about 7 years ago, and now the camomille is taking over - I havnt really decided how much to let go to the wild, we have a big old lilac tree and a old stone wall and I thought that wild flowers would look good, also my husband moans every time he mows the lawn under the tree :-) kate |
#23
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wildflowers
Kate Morgan wrote: I havnt really decided how much to let go to the wild, we have a big old lilac tree and a old stone wall and I thought that wild flowers would look good, also my husband moans every time he mows the lawn under the tree :-) I understand why you asked whether plugs would be an idea! It looks like you've got a good lawn there and the lilac tree next to the stone wall sounds just like a corner of my front garden! You could give the 'effect' of what you want to do with plugs indeed if you don't want to mess up your lawn for a meadow. I have used verbena bonariensis against our wall, scabiosa here and there, pimpernella saxifraga, thistles and marguerites (lots). I do nothing to it except enjoy and use as cut flowers in summer. You'll have to 'group' them or they'll get mowed by your husband! |
#24
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wildflowers
La Puce wrote: I do nothing to it except enjoy and use as cut flowers in summer. You'll have to 'group' them or they'll get mowed by your husband! Yes this is so - my partner mowed all the bulbs in the lawn before they flowered by mistake |
#25
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wildflowers
La Puce writes
Kate Morgan wrote: I havnt really decided how much to let go to the wild, we have a big old lilac tree and a old stone wall and I thought that wild flowers would look good, also my husband moans every time he mows the lawn under the tree :-) I understand why you asked whether plugs would be an idea! It looks like you've got a good lawn there and the lilac tree next to the stone wall sounds just like a corner of my front garden! You could give the 'effect' of what you want to do with plugs indeed if you don't want to mess up your lawn for a meadow. I have used verbena bonariensis against our wall, scabiosa here and there, pimpernella saxifraga, thistles and marguerites (lots). I do nothing to it except enjoy and use as cut flowers in summer. You'll have to 'group' them or they'll get mowed by your husband! Though as La Puce says, this is the wild flower 'effect' not the real thing as most of these are not UK natives. -- Kay |
#26
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wildflowers
Kate Morgan writes
Kate Morgan wrote: I would like to turn one corner of the garden and possibly down the drive into a wildflower patch and cannot decide which to use, seeds or plugs, any advice or thoughts appreciated Out of curiosity, what are the approx dimensions of your 'corner'? It's important so that you know how much seeds to use (taking into account the self seeding). We successfully did a meadow 5mx7m by a block of flats in the city centre and in it's 3rd year it was beautiful. We made another one about 7 years ago, and now the camomille is taking over - I havnt really decided how much to let go to the wild, we have a big old lilac tree and a old stone wall and I thought that wild flowers would look good, also my husband moans every time he mows the lawn under the tree :-) If you're planting under the lilac tree, you'll need woodland plants to cope with the lack of light and the shade. Try red campion, stitchwort, woodruff, astrantia, wood vetch. Primroses, wood anemones for spring (avoid bluebells - their leaves are too much in the way later on). Not native here but with the right 'feel', small hardy cyclamen - hederifolium for autumn and coum for spring. -- Kay |
#27
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wildflowers
On 16/1/07 17:38, in article , "K"
wrote: Kate Morgan writes Kate Morgan wrote: I would like to turn one corner of the garden and possibly down the drive into a wildflower patch and cannot decide which to use, seeds or plugs, any advice or thoughts appreciated Out of curiosity, what are the approx dimensions of your 'corner'? It's important so that you know how much seeds to use (taking into account the self seeding). We successfully did a meadow 5mx7m by a block of flats in the city centre and in it's 3rd year it was beautiful. We made another one about 7 years ago, and now the camomille is taking over - I havnt really decided how much to let go to the wild, we have a big old lilac tree and a old stone wall and I thought that wild flowers would look good, also my husband moans every time he mows the lawn under the tree :-) If you're planting under the lilac tree, you'll need woodland plants to cope with the lack of light and the shade. Try red campion, stitchwort, woodruff, astrantia, wood vetch. Primroses, wood anemones for spring (avoid bluebells - their leaves are too much in the way later on). Not native here but with the right 'feel', small hardy cyclamen - hederifolium for autumn and coum for spring. This one site gives its native wild flower 100% Native British mixture as containing: "Species include:- Achillea millefolium, Agrostemma githago, Betula erecta, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, Chrysanthemum segatum, Cynoglossum officinale, Digitalis purpurea, Dipascus fullonum, Legousia hybrida, Lobularia maritime, Lunaria annua, Lupinus albus, Malva moschata, Malva sylvestris, Papaver rhoeas, Polygonum latifolium, Reseda lutea, Salvia pratensis, Tanacetum vulgare, Tamus communis." http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seed...le/mixture.htm -- Sacha http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/ (remove weeds from address) |
#28
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wildflowers
K wrote: Though as La Puce says, this is the wild flower 'effect' not the real thing as most of these are not UK natives. I'm curious, which of the flowers I have mentioned, vervain, scabious, pimpernella, thistles, (beside marguerites) are not native to the British Isles? |
#29
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wildflowers
La Puce writes
K wrote: Though as La Puce says, this is the wild flower 'effect' not the real thing as most of these are not UK natives. I'm curious, which of the flowers I have mentioned, vervain, scabious, pimpernella, thistles, (beside marguerites) are not native to the British Isles? Of the 5 you mentioned in your original post, only one is unequivocally native: Verbena bonariensis and marguerites are not native. "Pimpernella saxifraga" - I assume you mean Pimpinella saxifraga - is native. Scabiosa and thistles may or may not be native depending on species - you didn't specify which. You didn't mention vervain(1) in your previous post Not everyone reading this thread is familiar with the wild flora, and they might be a bit narked, if they want wild as in UK native, to find that some of the plants they have planted aren't actually UK natives. If they're just after the wild look, then, eg, V bonariensis fits the bill. (1) Vervain is Verbena officinalis -- Kay |
#30
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wildflowers
"K" wrote in message ... La Puce writes K wrote: Though as La Puce says, this is the wild flower 'effect' not the real thing as most of these are not UK natives. I'm curious, which of the flowers I have mentioned, vervain, scabious, pimpernella, thistles, (beside marguerites) are not native to the British Isles? Of the 5 you mentioned in your original post, only one is unequivocally native: Verbena bonariensis and marguerites are not native. "Pimpernella saxifraga" - I assume you mean Pimpinella saxifraga - is native. Scabiosa and thistles may or may not be native depending on species - you didn't specify which. You didn't mention vervain(1) in your previous post Not everyone reading this thread is familiar with the wild flora, and they might be a bit narked, if they want wild as in UK native, to find that some of the plants they have planted aren't actually UK natives. If they're just after the wild look, then, eg, V bonariensis fits the bill. (1) Vervain is Verbena officinalis -- Kay I too was wondering what on the list was native. I have never seen fields of V.bonariensis but it would be a spectacular sight :-) |
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