Wildflower meadow

 

Image: Rhinanthus minor, from Icones Florae Germanicae et Helveticae (1862), Reichenbach

To increase biodiversity in the Gardens, the Commissioners are attempting to cultivate the area in front of the gas regulator station as a wildflower meadow.

Last year it was returfed using turfs that had been impregnated with flower seeds.  The results were quite disappointing - the range of flowers was limited and grass dominated.

Last autumn the area was sown with yellow rattle seeds which require winter cold to stimulate germination.  Yellow rattle (which has dead-nettle-like flowers) is a semi-parasite on grass.

Next spring, when there should be much less grass, the area will be scarified and sown with a seed mixture of colourful wild flowers.