If you’re looking to improve the look of your property or land, wildflowers are a great way to do so! Not only do they add colour and vibrancy to an area, but they also provide a number of benefits. In this blog post from Tim Montgomery Farm Supplies, we will discuss everything you need to know about wildflowers: planting, benefits, and where to plant them, not just for Wild Flower Seeds Northern Ireland but across Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Wildflowers are flowers that grow naturally in the wild. In the UK, there are many different species of wildflower, including bluebells, buttercups, and daisies. Wildflowers are a great way to add colour and vibrancy to your property, and they also provide a number of benefits.
– 20 Wildflower Species that we include in our unique blend
– How to Grow wildflowers from Seeds
– The Benefits of wildflowers
– Where to Plant wildflowers in the UK
– When to Plant wildflowers in the UK
20 Wildflower Species that we include in our unique blend
Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom is home to a wide variety of wildflowers, many of which can be easily spotted while out on a hike or walk in the countryside. Our wildflower mix is available in 1kg wildflower seeds bags and has been specially prepared to maximise the best wildflowers from across the world to give the best blooms.
- Bluebells: A British favorite, bluebells are a member of the hyacinth family and typically bloom between April and May.
- Buttercups: Bright and cheerful, buttercups are one of the first wildflowers to appear in spring. Look for them in meadows, woods, and hedgerows.
- Dandelions: Dandelions are a common sight in lawns and open spaces throughout the UK. The best time to spot them is between April and May.
- Daisies: Daisies are a classic summer wildflower, often appearing in fields and along roadside verges from June onwards.
- Foxgloves: A favorite of bees and other pollinators, foxgloves are tall, spiky wildflowers that bloom between May and August. They can be found in woodlands, meadows, and hedgerows.
- Paper Daisy – The paper daisy is a small, delicate flower with paper-thin petals that are white or shades of pink. The center of the flower is usually yellow or green. Paper daisies are often used in bouquets and floral arrangements.
- Pheasants Eye – The pheasant’s eye is a bright red flower with a black center. It gets its name from the fact that the center of the flower resembles the eye of a pheasant. Pheasant’s eyes are often used in cut flower arrangements.
- Pot Marigold – Pot marigolds are large, showy flowers that come in shades of yellow, orange, and red. They get their name from the fact that they were once commonly used to decorate pots and other containers. Today, they are popular as garden flowers and cut flowers.
- Cornflower – Cornflowers are small, blue flowers with edible petals. They get their name from the fact that they were once commonly found growing in fields of corn. Today, they are popular as garden flowers and cut flowers.
- Cosmos – Cosmos are tall, slender plants with showy flowers that come in shades of pink, purple, and white.
- Painted daisy (Tanacetum coccineum) is a brightly colored member of the aster family that is native to Asia. The flower heads are a mix of red, orange, and yellow, and the plant can reach a height of 3 feet.
- Dwarf morning glory (Convolvulus tricolor) is a small vine that is native to Europe and North Africa. The flowers are white or pink with blue stripes, and the plant can grow to a length of 10 feet.
- Chinese forget-me-not (Brunnera macrophylla) is a perennial plant that is native to Siberia. The flowers are blue with yellow centers, and the plants can reach a height of 2 feet.
- California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is an annual plant that is native to the western United States. The flowers are orange with black centers, and the plants can reach a height of 2 feet.
- Fineflower (Linaria maroccana) is an annual plant that is native to Morocco. The flowers are purple with white streaks, and the plants can reach a height of 1 foot.
- Farewell to spring (Clarkia amoena) is an annual plant that is native to the western United States. The flowers are pink with white streaks, and the plants can reach a height of 18 inches.
- Baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata) is a delicate, annual flower that is often used in bouquets and floral arrangements. The plant has long, slender stems and tiny white flowers. Baby’s breath prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
- Candytuft (Iberis umbellata) is a hardy, evergreen perennial that produces clusters of white or pink flowers in spring. The plant has glossy green leaves and prefers full sun or partial shade. Candytuft is relatively drought-tolerant once established.
- Love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena) is an annual herb that produces beautiful, white or blue flowers. The plant gets its name from the way the flowers appear to be floating in a mist of delicate foliage. Love-in-a-mist prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
- Corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas) is a hardy annual that is best known for its large, red flowers. The flowers bloom in early summer and are often used in cut flower arrangements. Corn poppy prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
How to Grow wildflowers from Seeds
If you’re looking to add wildflowers to your garden or property, the best way to do so is by growing them from seed. Here are a few tips on how to grow wildflowers from seeds:
- – Choose a sunny spot: Wildflowers need plenty of sun to grow and bloom, so make sure to choose a spot in your garden that gets at least six hours of sunlight per day.
- – Prepare the soil: Wildflowers prefer well-drained soil, so if your chosen spot has heavy or clay soils, you’ll need to loosen it up a bit before planting. You can do this by adding some organic matter like compost or peat moss.
- – Sow the seeds: Once you’ve prepared the soil, it’s time to sow the wildflower seeds. You can do this by scattering them thinly over the soil and then lightly raking them in.
- – Water regularly: Wildflowers need to be- kept moist during the germination process, so make sure to water them regularly. Once they’ve started to grow, you can cut back on the watering.
- – Deadhead: To encourage more blooms, be sure to deadhead (or remove) spent flowers.
Our friends at The Timelapse Team have produced the video below. Watch a full bed of wildflowers grow and see nature in its full beauty. This relaxing time lapse film takes you from sowing of the seeds in spring all the way through to flowering in Summer. This video was filmed over 162 days. Two different wildflower seed mixes were used to get a great variety of wild flowers.
The Benefits of Wildflowers
Wildflowers are one of the most beneficial types of plants you can have in your garden. Not only do they add colour and beauty to your landscape, but they also provide a host of valuable benefits. Here are some of the key benefits of wildflowers:
1. Wildflowers Attract Pollinators
One of the most important benefits of wildflowers is that they attract pollinators. Pollinators are creatures such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds that transfer pollen from one flower to another, allowing plants to reproduce. By having wildflowers in your garden, you can help attract these important creatures and support their vital work.
2. Wildflowers are beautiful and add color to your landscape.
Wildflowers come in a wide range of colors and can really brighten up your garden. They are also great for adding color to your landscape if you live in an area that doesn’t have much colour naturally.
3. They help to improve soil quality.
Wildflowers can also help to improve the quality of your soil. Their deep roots help to break up compacted soil and their leaves add organic matter to the soil as they decompose. This helps to create a healthy environment for other plants to grow in.
4. They are a natural source of food for wildlife.
Wildflowers are an important food source for many different types of wildlife. Their nectar and pollen provide a valuable source of food for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Additionally, their seeds are an important food source for birds.
5. They provide shelter and nesting sites for animals.
Wildflowers also provide valuable shelter and nesting sites for many different animals. Their dense foliage can provide protection from the wind and sun, and their hollow stems can provide homes for bees, beetles, and other insects.
Quirky ideas where to plant Wild Flower Seeds Northern Ireland or Scotland
Wildflowers can be planted almost anywhere in the UK, as long as the soil is not waterlogged. They can be planted in meadows, gardens, or even in pots on a deck or balcony. The best time of year to plant wildflowers varies depending on the region of the UK. In Northern Ireland, wildflowers can be planted from March to May. In Scotland, wildflowers can be planted from April to June.
Some of our customers have in the past have used our 1kg wildflower seeds in the following locations;
- Disused land
- That field where you you have not just quite got the time to think about. amore permanent use
- Roundabouts
- Verge of road leading to your property
- Side of your laneway up to your property
- In your school grounds
- Around gravesides
When to Plant wildflowers in the UK
Best time to plant Wild Flower Seeds Northern Ireland would be in the springtime, specifically between late March and late June.
The best time to plant wildflower seeds in Scotland would be in the springtime, specifically between late March and late June.
In England, plant wildflower seeds between late March and May.
The best time to plant wildflower seeds in Wales would be in the springtime, specifically between late March and May.
This is because the soil is warmer and there is more rainfall during this season, which helps wildflower seeds to germinate. Springtime is also when most native wildflowers begin to bloom. So, if you want to attract bees and other pollinators to your garden, planting wildflowers in the spring is the best way to do it!
Final Thoughts
Wildflowers can be beautiful additions to any garden, and they offer a variety of benefits that other plants cannot. By understanding a bit more about wildflowers- their planting requirements, where to plant them, and when the best time is to do so- you can help ensure your garden becomes an oasis of wild beauty.
Wildflowers are easy to grow and require very little maintenance once they are established. They can be planted in both spring and fall, although fall is generally the best time to plant wildflower seeds. Wildflowers do not need rich soil, and in fact, they often prefer poorer soils that have been allowed to dry out somewhat.
This is because wildflowers have shallow roots and need less water than other plants. Wild Flower Seeds Northern Ireland will grow well throughout the UK.
When choosing a location to plant your wildflower seeds, make sure to choose an area that gets at least six hours of sunlight per day. Wildflowers also do not do well in areas that are too shady. Once you have found the perfect spot, it is time to start planting!
To plant wildflower seeds, simply scatter them on the ground and lightly rake them into the soil. There is no need to worry about planting depth or spacing, as wildflowers will naturally find their way to the sunlight and space they need. After planting, water your wildflower seeds well and then keep the soil moist until they have germinated.
Once your Wild Flower Seeds Northern Ireland have germinated and are starting to grow, you can sit back and enjoy the show! These beautiful flowers will add color and life to your garden all season long. What’s more, wildflowers are excellent at attracting bees and other pollinators, so you can be sure your garden will be buzzing with activity!
Contact Us
If you are looking for a low-maintenance way to add beauty and interest to your garden, wildflowers are the perfect choice. You can purchase them here or give us a call on 07803618754 or contact us via our form.