Wildflower Beds – anyone done it? Tips, etc?

Hiya, recently moved and in the process of tidying up what was once an impressive garden created by the owners before those we purchased the house from.

This is the bed in question, I’ve removed the pond and most of the weeds, what’s left will be cleared soon.

Rather than plant more things that will require tending to we thought a natural wildflower bed might be quite nice.

We already have two rather large beds that need attention as well as this.

Are we being bonkers? What says the STW horticulturists?

most of the weeds

Rather than plant more things that will require tending to we thought a natural wildflower bed might be quite nice.

You know they’re one and the same right?

Good idea just research the wildflowers you want to plant first rather than just buying a seedpack. Mrs Pizza got a free pack of british wildflower seeds the other year and excitedly sprinkled them all over the borders where there was some empty patches, I’m still to this day pulling out nondescript plants that are growing up to 5ft high and completely taking over

I did it.

Bought seeds from Boston Seeds rather than the supermarket – the cheap ones don’t work.

Wildflowers like crappy earth so no need for compost.

Just throw them on the ground and wait.

Make sure you mix the packet otherwise you get sections of different flowers rather than the mix you actually want.

Basically you are just sowing weeds.

You know they’re one and the same right?

Haha, yeah. I know. We want colourful weeds. Most of it was most and that annoying crap with the orange flowers that spreads like Chlamydia on a college trip.

It’s hard to be certain but I think you’ll struggle to get good wildflowers in that bed. There is too much shade from the hedge on the right. The plants that are there already look like they enjoy some shade, ferns etc. I would try to increase them and similar species. I have a similar patch with a giant scabies, lots of lush green vegetation and fantastic stalk like flowers which bees adore

As always, go with what wants to grow there rather than what you want to grow.

To minimize work, good solid cover ie no bare soil. This stops weeds growing in the open areas.

If you’re really into it a walk around a national trust garden with your camera is a few hours well spent. You can get lots of ideas of plants and there names for similar locations

In terms of work I do a once clear at the end of winter and the occasional trim in mid early summer if anything has gone crazy. I used to clear at the start of winter but now leave it til the end to give garden creatures and bugs shelter through the coldest period

“Natural wildflower meadow” isn’t the same thing as “attractive flower border”. If you want it to look attractive year round you might want to look at a perennial seed mix rather than a wildflower mix. FWIW there was a segment on last week’s Gardener’s World about a bloke who’d dug up his lawn and spread a load of flower seeds over it, maybe worth 10 mins of iPlayering.

orange flowers that spreads like Chlamydia

…

I have a similar patch with a giant scabies

Suggest you head to the pharmacy…

+1 on going for a properly planned year round display of interesting things being better than wildflowers. For attractiveness and wildlife.

IMO, natural, herb-rich meadows are wonderful. And I get a wilder planting in larger spaces and avoiding the ‘golf course grass’ everywhere approach.

But in a garden with all sorts going on such as rich soils, shading, lack of overall biome etc, they are just a poor relative of good planting. I personally would go more ‘small shrubs and cottage garden’.

And, as encouragement, I would never have said I was a strong gardener. But we have this in the space of 10 years at our house.
We have got some ‘wildflowers’ – now completely taken over by the orange poppies – but I find the shrubs, fruit, heathers and many flowers mrs_oab has planted from seed more interesting and have much more seasonal duration.
Pics taken at the same spot.

It might work but a bed that size might just look a bit too close to a weed bed than seed bed – prairie style perennials might be a better solution as you can do a once a year cut back at the most basic level and add in a few extra points of interest as you go along.  If you insist on the wild seed route, thoroughly mix your pack of seeds into a bulking transport medium such as sand to help minimise clumping of seed types and help you see where you have distributed them.

For quick easy low maintenance wins I would put some rhubarb in, mines thrived and I can’t eat it as fast as it grows.  Also, a bird or squirrel buried a perennial sunflower seed last year which has gone ballistic, it’s like a mini tree.

Rhubarb plants cost 3 quid each, sunflower foc, I m going to plant up the whole bed next spring.  They seem to love the rain, semi shaded position, no soil prep.

i put some wildflower mix in pots at the beginning of june.. just an Asda box

come up quite nice.. probably a meter tall…

did toy with the idea of doing the whole front of the house (as its currently gravel, and requires weeding regularly) but i think the height would make my terraced house stand out and get complaints

I have used some wild flower turf which has produced nice flowers

We tried this year. They look shit. Would rather have spent our annual £100 at the garden centre for a hanging basket and bedding plants.

I did one in my front garden this year. Two boxes of seeds from B&Q. Lovely big display of random flowers. My neighbours have been really impressed and I’ll be doing it again next year and all over the garden. Loads of bees visiting them which is great

That soil looks too good for traditional wildflowers. You’ll find dandelions, nettles, dock, maybe clover, buttercups taking over naturally, so seeds will probably be wasted. Grass will try to choke them off. I’ve tried and tried with wildflower mixes, but whatever’s locally prevalent will take over. Not saying that’s a bad thing, but “pretty” meadowflowers are really hard to bring on. If you’re content to leave it to nature, then fine, but it will probably end up looking a mess and failing your expectations. Planned planting, as suggested above might be a better bet? Good luck, nature can be a cruel mistress 🤔

giant scabies

Giant scabious? Having scratched that itch I’d suggest some evergreen wild shrubs with flowers, simply because flowers tend to die off in autumn/winter. The shrubs will need little work and give structure, examples…

Evergreen ferns, holly and honeysuckle

Buddleia (not evergreen, but brings the insects in) and common dogwood (bright-coloured stems through winter)

All I did was buy a couple of packets of wild flowers seeds from Amazon and they look fantastic now.  Some more dominant plants but loads of colour and variety, and lots of insects now .

I really enjoyed the fact I had no idea what was going to come up.

Amazing looking boarders now for a few quid.  I’m done with garden centres now.

Giant scabious?

Yes!  My bad!!

It’s a fantastic plant, highly recommended