Description
The 12 native species included in our Native Species Perennial Pollinator Wildflower Meadow will attract all kinds of insects, butterflies, moths and, of course, bees.
This is a very specialised mix, and it will turn into a permanent meadow after the first year. It can play a crucial role in supporting Ireland’s native species and promoting biodiversity. Your meadow will contain only perennials and so it will look like a traditional hay meadow in years gone by.
While it will not be as colourful as a modern wildlife meadow, your traditional meadow, packed with native species, should attract all of the important insects, moths, grasshoppers and butterflies that Irish meadows have always been able to attract.
For example, Knapweed, which is included in this meadow mix, is a great support to native species. It hosts a huge amount of aphids and it is one of the favourite host plants of the froghopper or spittlebug larvae (commonly known as Cuckoo Spit). The term cuckoo spit refers to a foamy substance that appears on a variety of plants during the late spring and early summer. It is created by a small insect called a froghopper, which is also known as a ‘spittlebug’. The name arose because the appearance of the foamy substance on plants and the arrival of the cuckoo coincide.
Establishing a native species wildflower meadow
This Native Species Perennial Wildflower Meadow will take 1 year to establish. Some patience is required because you will have absolutely nothing in year one! You need to cut your native meadow back to ground level during its first year so that it can become mature and get established properly.
In year two, your native meadow will be established, and the only maintenance required will be to keep noxious weeds out of it. You should also cut it back at the end of the autumn and remove the cuttings.
Before sowing, the same ground preparation and criteria apply as for the wildflower meadow but very different treatment is required during its first growing year. See our Sowing and Maintenance Guidelines for handy information.
Native species in our wildflower mix:
Our native wildflower mix contains 12 species:
Birdsfoot Trefoil, Red Clover, Devil’s Bit Scabious, Field Scabious, Lady’s Bedstraw, Knapweed, Meadowsweet, Oxeye Daisy, Purple Loosestrife, Selfheal, Ragged Robin and Vetch.
This mixture should be sown at the rate of 1.50kgs/0.10Ha. (.25ac)
- 1.5kg pack €300.00 incl VAT
- 150g pack €37.00 incl VAT
Free delivery.
While this is a Native Species Perennial Pollinator Mix, unfortunately the seed could not be sourced here. The mix is from Bright Seeds UK who are extremely reputable seed suppliers.
