We have selected species for our general purpose meadow mix which support soil health and create vital habitat and food plants for many different pollinating insects.
For example, wild white clover (Trifolium repens) naturally fixes nitrogen in the soil, enriching its fertility while offering a nectar-rich food source for bees. Bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) not only adds a vibrant pop of colour for much of the year but also attracts a range of beneficial insects, serving as an important larval food plant for several species of caterpillars, including the common blue butterfly, the six-spot burnet moth, and the wood white butterfly.
Meanwhile, yellow rattle (Rhinanthus minor) helps to control aggressive grass growth, which in turn allows a greater variety of wildflowers to flourish. Common knapweed (Centaurea nigra) is another standout perennial wildflower which is very drought tolerant and supports a number of butterflies and moths.
Together, these species create a balanced ecosystem that promotes soil vitality and a thriving habitat for wildlife.
Our versatile general purpose meadow mixture has a range of applications including;
- Wildlife-friendly gardens & pollinator habitats.
- Green spaces in housing & commercial developments.
- Roadside verges & rewilding projects.
- Community meadows, schools & nature reserves.
- Carbon offsetting & conservation schemes.
This meadow mix is compliant with the following environmental stewardship schemes:
Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI): IPM2 Flower-rich grass margins, blocks, or in-field strips.
Countryside Stewardship (CSS): AB8: Flower-rich margins and plots.
Why buy our general purpose meadow mix?
Our general purpose meadow mix is suitable for a range of soil types and growing conditions, making it a practical choice for enhancing biodiversity, reducing maintenance costs, and bringing natural beauty to any landscape.
20% Wildflowers
2% Centaurea nigra – Common knapweed
0.6% Achillea millefolium – Yarrow
1.2% Ranunculus acris – Meadow buttercup
1.3% Medicago lupulina – Black medick
1.6% Galium verum – Lady’s bedstraw
1.2% Prunella vulgaris – Selfheal
1.5% Leucanthemum vulgare – Oxeye daisy
1% Trifolium repens – Wild white clover
1.5% Rhinanthus minor – Yellow rattle
0.3% Agrimonia eupatoria – Agrimony
1.6% Plantago lanceolata – Ribwort plantain
1.2% Lotus corniculatus – Bird’s-foot trefoil
1.3% Malva moschata – Musk-mallow
0.8% Vicia cracca – Tufted vetch
0.7% Echium vulgare – Viper’s bugloss
1% Daucus carotta – Wild carrot
1.2% Silene latifolia – White campion
80% Meadow Grasses
4% Agrostis capillaris – Common bent
2% Anthoxanthum odoratum – Sweet vernal-grass
18% Poa pretensis – Meadow grass
29% Cynosurus cristatus – Crested dog’s-tail
27% Festuca rubra – Red fescue
Ground Preparation
Our general purpose meadow mix is best sown on sites with low to moderate fertility and minimal perennial weed issues. Proper preparation is key to success, so focus on weed control and creating a well-structured seedbed before sowing.
Start by removing weeds through repeated cultivation. Then, plough or dig the area and remove any surface vegetation. Follow this by harrowing or raking to create a fine tilth, and finally, firm the surface by rolling or treading.
Sowing Our Basic Meadow Mix
The best times for sowing are autumn or spring, but with adequate warmth and moisture, seeds can be sown at other times of the year. Seeds should be sown on the surface, either spread by hand or with a spinner. To ensure even distribution, divide the seed and ground into the same number of sections and sow one portion of seed in each section of ground. Do not bury or cover the seed—simply press it into the soil by treading or with a roller or to ensure good contact is made with the soil.
First-Year Management
Most wildflower and grass species found in meadow mixtures are perennial. Perennials take time to establish with some species coming to flower in year two. Shortly after sowing, annual weeds from the existing soil seed bank will likely emerge. While they may appear untidy, these weeds provide shelter for developing seedlings and support beneficial insects. They will naturally die off by the end of the first season.
Avoid cutting these annual weeds until mid-to-late summer, especially if Yellow Rattle is included in the mix or if cornfield annuals were used as a nurse crop. Around early August is a good time to cut, remove, and compost the growth. This will expose the developing meadow, which should then be kept short through mowing or grazing until the following March. Remove any persistent perennial weeds that become dominant, such as thistles and docks, by digging them out.
Ongoing Management
From the second year onward, management practices will shape the meadow’s characteristics, with soil fertility playing a role. Traditional meadow management typically yields the best results, centering around a main summer hay cut, followed by another cut in autumn and potentially a spring mowing or grazing.
To allow the sown species to flower, the meadow should remain uncut and ungrazed from spring until late July or August. After flowering, take a hay cut by using a scythe, strimmer, or tractor mower, reducing growth to about 50mm. Let the cuttings dry on-site for one to seven days to allow seed dispersal, then remove them.
At this point, you can also spread the cuttings to other areas of the meadow which lack species diversity.
Mow or graze the regrowth through late autumn and winter—keeping it at roughly 50mm—as this will help maintain the meadow’s structure. If necessary, another cut in early spring can further support healthy growth.
