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Wild flower advice please???

higgy50
24/03/2011 01:59

Hello All,

Like lots of you I am having a go at growing wild flowers through part of my lawn this year. I sowed some seed last Autumn and I'm glad to say that some has started to grow! So far I have identified ONE poppy and some other 'stuff' which at this time I'm not 100% sure what it is!!

Now the problem that I have is that the grass has also started to grow and is about 4-5inches long. I read somewhere that you should mow a wild flower meadow in spring. Does anyone now if this relates to an established meadow or should I also mow mine? It continued to say to mow it leaving the grass about 3cm long and then leave the clippings in place???

Have to say I'm a bit confused as this is a new venture for me...

I also have some further seed mix to throw down, would this be a good idea about now?

I also sowed some wild flower seed into trays and popped them in propagators as a back up and to plant some established plugs later on....amazingly two weeks on these are all up so I could have a good display through my nature area this year!!

Any advice gratefully recieved....

.....and I want to get the mower out for the main lawn before it gets too long to cut!! 

Thanks in advance

  • 03/04/2011 01:03 in reply to doggie

    Looking good Alan, I think I recognise one or two but hard to tell from here:-)I won't spoil your fun, it's like a lucky dip:-)))

  • 03/04/2011 03:24 in reply to doggie

    Unknown said:

    hi higgy

    a few of the rspb wildflower seeds i've sown

     

    part of the fun is i haven't a clue what most are

    alan

    Ok, I think you may have some scabious,probably field but it could be devil's or it could be neither :-) depends on how the leaves develop in, they could be the ones with the strappy sort of leaves, if they are scabious (and, please don't quote me, I'd need a better look to be sure) the leaves miraculously change as the plant develops, so the outer ones are strappy but later ones have deeply cut edges. I also think you may have some campion and the fan shaped ones, if they are course in texture they could be mallow (a bit like hollyhocks but usually pink or white) or  wild cranesbill geraniums, but I think mallow I also think you have poppies and the creeping looking ones could either be speedwell or they may be, if you're lucky, scarlet pimpernel and you may have some wild majoram - but from a photo I wouldn't put my pocket money on any of it except the campion I'm almost certain of that, they'll have soft, slightly furry leaves. Sorry I can't be more definite but without seeing them, touching them and maybe smelling the leaves it's hard to tell for sure:-) Kezsmum

     

  • 03/04/2011 07:21 in reply to doggie

    Hi Alan,

    That's great mate, I've sown a load of seed in the lawn and have also sown seed into 12 seed trays so hopefully if that little lot grow I should have a stack of plugs to pop in also!....

    Today I mowed the lawn again and have at last taken the shears to the areas where the wild flowers will hopefully grow! I bought a new pair of really sharp shears as my old ones weren't too good and I didn't want to rip and tear at the grass and other plants growing there. I have to say now that I have had a closer inspection I am actually pretty hopeful that there are quite a few flowers (unidentified also!!) growing through already!

    Between you and me I also sprinkled in another packet of wild flower mix and field poppies.......

    If I don't get some sort of 'spectacular' display this summer I shall be quite miffed!!!...LOL 

    It will be good to see how everyone's  wild flower areas grow this summer and I'm looking forward to all the 'colourful' photos which will no doubt be posted on here!

    As they say "watch this space".....