Our SIMPLY: Wildflowers mix is the economical answer for wildflower novices venturing into making their first meadow. Made up of annual and perennial wildflowers, and appropriate grass species to give you the basic basis of a wildflower meadow. New to wildflowers? You’ll enjoy the benefits of this low-maintenance mix at an economical price. The grasses in this mix provide a nursery for the wildflowers, meaning your wildflower garden stays weed free and wildflower full. SIMPLY: Wildflowers can spruce up your small and large spaces easily and provide a food source for bees and pollinators, as it contains RHS Plants for Pollinators wildflowers.
Mixture Breakdown
1.8%White Clover
When does it bloom?
June - September
What colour is it?
White
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Trifolium repens
Description
White Clover is a great source of food for bees and pollinators who can enjoy its nectar from a slightly shorter height. Its dome flowers create a pretty globe of white blooms.
0.5%Corncockle
When does it bloom?
May – September
What colour is it?
Purple
Annual or Perennial?
Annual
Latin Name
Agrostemma githago
Description
Corncockle is a pretty purple wildflower with tall stems and full petals and is a bright addition to any annuals mix. It is currently rare and endangered.
0.5%Corn Poppy
When does it bloom?
June – August
What colour is it?
Red / Black
Annual or Perennial?
Annual
Latin Name
Papaver rhoeas
Description
Corn Poppy is a vibrant and bright addition to any meadow and easily recognisable and identifiable throughout the UK. Of course it has meaning for many, and also adds a colourful pop to any wildflower plot!
1%Red Campion
When does it bloom?
March – November
What colour is it?
Pink
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Silene dioica
Description
Red Campion has hot pink petals that make for quite the show stopper in your wildflower meadow, and can typically be found in woodland areas. Red Campion begins to flower once bluebells begin to fade, so if you notice this happening in your wildflower sward you can begin to look forward to their fuchsia blooms!
1%Corn Marigold
When does it bloom?
June - October
What colour is it?
Yellow
Annual or Perennial?
Annual
Latin Name
Glebionis segetum
Description
Corn Marigold is a bright ray of sunshine on a gloomy day. Its orange-yellow petals burst into life in June and last all the way through until October. Part of the cornfield annuals family, although this annual may have one showing - it’s a showstopper!
0.3%Cornflower
When does it bloom?
June – August
What colour is it?
Violet
Annual or Perennial?
Annual
Latin Name
Centaurea cyanus
Description
Cornflower was previously considered a weed in amongst its cornfield annuals companions but is now accepted and widely praised as one of its finest! We're not surprised - who could dismiss those electric blue blooms?
0.3%Oxeye Daisy
When does it bloom?
May – September
What colour is it?
White / Yellow
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Leucanthemum vulgare
Description
Imagine the daisy chain these would make! Oxeye Daisy is the largest member of the daisy family and its almost flat surface makes the perfect landing pad for bees and pollinators.
0.4%Ribwort Plantain
When does it bloom?
January – December
What colour is it?
White / Brown
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Plantago lanceolata
Description
Ribwort Plantain although not the brightest wildflower, certainly adds a natural diversity to your wildflower meadow. Its tiny white buds provide food for bees and pollinators whilst its seeds are great for Goldfinches.
0.3%Salad Burnet
When does it bloom?
May – September
What colour is it?
Pink / Green
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Sanguisorba minor
Description
A perennial wildflower with toothed leaves and pink flowers, its leaves when crushed smell like cucumber and used to be used in salads!
0.2%Birdsfoot Trefoil
When does it bloom?
May – September
What colour is it?
Yellow / Red
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Lotus corniculatus
Description
Birdsfoot Trefoil is part of the pea family and grows up to 35cm. It is well known for its yellow slipper like petals and red centre, which has given it the nickname of 'Eggs and Bacon'!
0.3%Yellow Rattle
When does it bloom?
May - September
What colour is it?
Yellow
Annual or Perennial?
Annual
Latin Name
Rhinanthus minor
Description
Yellow Rattle can be used in existing meadows where meadow grasses have taken over. It helps to weaken these grasses to allow other wildflowers to flourish, and does this by locking its roots to those of the grasses, and therefore lessens their abundance.
0.3%Yarrow
When does it bloom?
June – November
What colour is it?
White / Occasionally pink
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Achillea millefolium
Description
Yarrow produces clusters of white small-petalled blooms. It is an aromatic perennial making it particularly attractive to bees and pollinators who are enamoured by its sweet scent.
0.3%Common Vetch
When does it bloom?
May - September
What colour is it?
Purple
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Vicia sativa ssp. Segetalis
Description
Common Vetch produces delicate purple flowers that make it a very desirable wildflower. It is considered a 'scrambling plant', which means it makes an extra special effort to climb to the sun and weave its way above many other wildflowers.
0.3%Corn Chamomile
When does it bloom?
June - September
What colour is it?
White / Yellow
Annual or Perennial?
Annual
Latin Name
Anthemis arvensis
Description
Although Corn Chamomile looks like a daisy, it is part of the cornfield annuals family. With its flat and almost-level surface it makes the perfect pit-stop for bees and pollinators.
2.5%Red Clover
When does it bloom?
May – September
What colour is it?
Purple / Pink
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Trifolium pratense
Description
Red Clover is a popular perennial that despite its name, is actually purple! It's dome-shaped flowers are relatively low-growing which makes it the perfect fodder food for livestock but is also a fan favourite of weary bees who need a feed a little closer to the ground.
30%Strong Creeping Red Fescue
When does it bloom?
This is a grass seed and typically germinates at temperatures of 8 -10 degrees
What colour is it?
Green / Beige
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Festuca rubra
Description
Strong Creeping Red Fescue is a grass that performs in most soil types
25%Chewings Fescue
When does it bloom?
This is a grass seed and typically germinates at temperatures of 8 -10 degrees
What colour is it?
Green / Beige
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Festuca rubra ssp. Commutata
Description
Chewing's Fescue is a grass that performs in most soil types
20%Slender Creeping Red Fescue
When does it bloom?
This is a grass seed and typically germinates at temperatures of 8 -10 degrees
What colour is it?
Green / Beige
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Festuca rubra
Description
Strong Creeping Red Fescue is a grass that performs in most soil types
10%Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass
When does it bloom?
This is a grass seed and typically germinates at temperatures of 8 -10 degrees
What colour is it?
Green / Beige
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Poa pratensis
Description
Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass is a grass that performs in most soil types
5%Browntop Bentgrass
When does it bloom?
This is a grass seed and typically germinates at temperatures of 8 -10 degrees
What colour is it?
Green / Beige
Annual or Perennial?
Perennial
Latin Name
Agrostis vinealis
Description
Browntop Bentgrass is a grass that performs in most soil types
Usage Guide
● Remove any existing grass, plants or flora from the area where you plan to sow your wildflower seed. Failure to do this will produce poor results ● Further remove the top 5-10cm to reduce soil fertility ● Allow the area to cultivate for several weeks, and remove any weeds that may pop in the area during this time ● Do not be tempted to add top soil, compost or fertiliser to the area - wildflowers prefer low nutrient conditions ● After the cultivation period ensure to remove stones or any other debris and rake the area to create a fine, friable and level seedbed ● Scatter the seed at a rate of 5g per m2 ● Rake the seed so that it is in amongst the soil ● Water the just-sown wildflower seed well ● If sowing in drought conditions, water as required to keep the area moist in the first 6 weeks after sowing
The above photo depicts the variety of species you should expect to see in your wildflower display. Please note that certain species within this mix and all our wildflower mixes may become more abundant than others, and this varies based on the conditions in which they are sown. Taking this into consideration, your wildflower meadow will evolve and adapt year after year and change in appearance as certain species may become more dominant than others.
