How to create a Wildflower Patch
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Why – First of all decide why you want a wildflower patch in your garden. Many people want it because they think it will bring in wildlife. Which is true but you can also do that by choosing other bee and butterfly attracting plants without having to change everything. Just plant a buddleja for example.
Where – If you are set on it think about where your wildlife patch might be best placed. If its sun loving wild flowers such as buttercups and daisies you want to plant then you need full sun. So its no use trying it under trees as the results will be poor. You can have wild flowers under trees but you need to think more along the lines of bluebells. Positioning your patch is really important because it will produce seeds and spread so think about what it is near to as you might then spend the next year digging it out from areas you didn’t particularly want wildflowers in.
How – Once you have decided where then think how you might go about it. There are a number of options.
Grow from Seed (choose a suitable wildflower mix and scatter it freely) .
From turf (specialist suppliers provide ready to roll out wildlife turf) or from Plug Plants (small wild flower plants inserted into existing lawn). Each has hits merits and drawbacks. Seeds can spread into areas you don’t want. Turf can be expensive and take a couple of years to establish and only actually be good for the first or second year, after that dominating species might take over.
Plug plants can be time consuming to put in but may yield the best results.
When – The best time is Spring before the summer when your wildflower will be at its best.
Some links that might be helpful
