Cotswold Grass Seeds - Wild Flower Meadows

£12.56 per kg

5% certified common bentgrass
10% certified crested dogstail
20% certified smaller catstail
20% certified sheeps fescue
20% certified red fescue
20% certified smooth meadowgrass
1% lesser knapweed
1% field scabious
1% self heal
1% birdsfoot trefoil
1% ox-eye daisy

Ref. MIXNEC
This mixture is a positive step towards recreating a traditional meadow with wild flowers, whilst providing for light grazing and the occasional cut of hay.

Using non aggressive grasses this mixture contains five native wild flowers species which are commonly found on most soils. The colourful flowers are included as a nectar source and are particularly attractive to bees and butterflies.

Sow between March and early May or August and early October at 10 kg per acre or 25 kg per hectare.

Nectar Meadow

Establishing Wild Flowers
It is essential to control weed populations before sowing. Perennial weeds such as couch grass or docks must be controlled before sowing. This can be achieved by the use of herbicides and cultivations. A fine and firm seedbed will give considerably better results than a loose, cloddy one. Shallow sow either with a drill (coulters out of the ground) or broadcast. Lightly harrow and finally roll twice. Top or lightly graze frequently during the first year to control any weeds.

Create your own Meadow
The decline of wild flower meadows across the UK is well documented. However, during the last decade we have seen an increasing demand for wild flower seed mixtures. These are often used to recreate meadows. Wild flower meadows take many years to evolve naturally and it is unrealistic to expect instant results after sowing seeds. However, with proper preparation and appropriate management encouraging and pleasing results can be observed after a year or so.

Meadow not Pasture
These meadow mixtures will not provide vast volumes of forage but they will be diverse and allow the less aggressive wild flower species to exist. Grasses used in these mixtures are non aggressive and short growing. For satisfactory results it is essential to exclude dominant grasses such as ryegrass and some of the more vigorous fescues. The grasses used can provide an occasional hay cut or light grazing, ideally with sheep.

Environmental Stewardship
The mixtures detailed on this page should be eligible under the Arable Reversion Scheme. If the land you are sowing is in the scheme, please consult with your Stewardship adviser. Your adviser may wish you to modify these mixtures to meet specific site objectives.

Rich with Species
Pictured below is a view from a glorious ancient meadow near Aston Rowant in the Chilterns. This English Nature site is a mass of flora and fauna and is one of a few remaining examples of chalk grassland in the UK. It is not possible to fully recreate this meadow in a short time but sowing an area with a species rich seeds mixture is a step towards recreating grasslands of old.

£18.41 per kg

5% certified common bentgrass
5% certified crested dogstail
20% certified smaller catstail
20% certified sheeps fescue
20% certified red fescue
20% certified smooth meadowgrass
1% cowslip
1% lady’s bedstraw
1% lesser knapweed
1% ox-eye daisy
1% meadow buttercup
1% meadowsweet
1% ragged robin
1% ribwort plantain
1% self heal
1% yellow rattle

Ref. MIXDAM
Wetter soils require a different seed mixture. This mixture should give reliable results on most wetter soils. It may also be used around water courses or ponds. The colourful display of native flowers will provide a useful nectar source for invertebrates.

The mixture should qualify as being eligible for Environmental Stewardship. Please discuss this with your Stewardship advisor before ordering.

Sow between March and early May or August and early October at 10 kg per acre or 25 kg per hectare.

Damp Meadow

£33.75 per kg

5% certified common bentgrass
5% certified crested dogstail
10% certified smaller catstail
20% certified sheeps fescue
20% certified red fescue
15% certified smooth meadowgrass
1% birdsfoot trefoil
1% cowslip
1% field scabious
1% lady’s bedstraw
2 % lesser knapweed
1% meadow buttercup
1% meadowsweet
1% musk mallow
1% ox-eye daisy
1% ragged-robin
1% red campion
1% ribwort plantain
1% self heal
2% salad burnet
1% sorrel
1% white campion
1% wild carrot
1% yarrow
1% yellow rattle
1% corn cockle
1% corn marigold
1% cornflower
1% field poppy

Ref. MIXFLO
A very colourful mixture of native perennial and annual wild flowers and grasses. Annual wild flowers are included in this mixture to give a good show in the first full year after sowing.

Sow between March and early May or August and early October at 10 kg per acre or 25 kg per hectare.
Species included vary occasionally.

Cotswold Wild Flora

£33.28 per kg

20% certified common bentgrass
5% commercial sweet vernal grass
10% certified crested dogstail
20% certified red fescue
15 % certified meadow foxtail
15% certified smaller catstail
1% commercial quaking grass
1% birdsfoot trefoil
1% common sorrel
1% cowslip
1% ladys bedstraw
1% lesser knapweed
2% meadow buttercup
1% ragged robin
1% ox-eye daisy
1% ribwort plantain
1% self heal
1% sheeps sorrel
1% yarrow
1% yellow rattle

Ref. MIXACID
A suitable mixture for both acid and heavy clay soil types. It is essential to prepare a well worked seedbed which has been managed to allow the control and removal of aggressive weeds.

The seed should be spread evenly and sown at no more than 10mm deep. Sow between March and May or August and early October at 10kg per acre or 25kg hectare.

Species included vary occasionally

Acid & Clay Soil Mixture

£31.74 per kg

10% certified common bentgrass
4% commercial sweet vernal grass
20% certified crested dogstail
25% certified red fescue
15 % certified slender creeping red fescue
10% certified wood meadowgrass
1% tufted hairgrass
1% autumn hawkbit
1% bluebell
1% hedge bedstraw
1% hedge woundwort
1% meadowsweet
1% pignut
1% perforate st. johns wort
2% ragged robin
1% red campion
1% self heal
1% teasel
1% tufted vetch
1% upright hedge parsley
1% wood avens

Ref. MIXWOOD
In open and semi-shaded areas it is possible to grow a number of grasses and wild flowers. Where possible create a tilth which is free of weeds, especially nettles.

Sow between March and May or August and early October at 10kg per acre or 25kg per hectare.

Woodland Clearing & Shady Area Mixture

£5.16 per kg

5% certified common bentgrass
5 % certified crested dogstail
10% certified smaller catstail
15% certified sheeps fescue
20% certified red fescue
5 % certified wild white clover
10% late flowering red clover
4 % certified alsike clover
4% certified birdsfoot trefoil
10% commercial sainfoin
8% certified common vetch
4% certified yellow trefoil

Ref. MIXOC
This legume based, nitrogen fixing mixture provides useful ground cover for orchards. The mixture will flower from early May onwards. This attracts pollinator and benificial preditary insects.

A sowing rate of 25-35kg per hectare is recommended. Use the higher rate where fast ground cover is required.

Orchard Clover Understory Mixture