Pro Flora 13 - Species Rich Lawns and Landscapes

Wildflower Seed for a Species Rich Lawn or Landscape With demand for improved biodiversity on all major landscape projects, increasing the species count in what can be the largest soft landscaped surface of the scheme can sometimes be overlooked. Pro Flora 13 is suited to a varied management regime in terms of cutting height and frequency. This flexibility allows mowing every couple of weeks at 75-100mm in a more intensively managed area, right through to a conventionally managed, species rich, grassland receiving just one or two cuts a year. The greater amount of time between cuts, the greater the number of species will flower providing additional benefits to pollinating insects. Sowing Rate Flowering Height Flowering Period 5g/m2 5cm - 1m May - December 20% Wildflowers Flower % Species Autumn Hawkbit 2 Leontodon autumnalis Black Knapweed 7 Centaurea nigra Birdsfoot Trefoil 5 Lotus corniculatus Black Medick 5 Medicago lupilina Bulbous Buttercup 1 Ranunculus bulbosus Common Cat's Ear 1.5 Hypochaeris radicata Common Daisy 0.5 Bellis perennis Cowslip 1 Primula veris Field Pansy 1 Viola arvensis Hoary Plantain 3 Plantago media Kidney Vetch 8 Anthyllis vulnearia Lady's Bedstraw 12 Galium verum Meadow Buttercup 14 Ranunculus acris Red Clover 2 Trifolium pratense Ribwort Plantain 2 Plantago lancelota White Clover 1 Trifolium repens Ox-Eye Daisy 9 Leucanthermum vulgare Rough Hawkbit 1 Leontodon hispidus Selfheal 15 Prunella vulgaris Sorrel 5 Rumex acetosa Yarrow 5 Achillea millefolium 80% Grasses Grass % Species Browntop Bent 4 Agrostis capillaris Crested Dogstail 27 Cynosurus cristatus Sheeps Fescue 25 Festuca ovina Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass 15 Poa pratensis Slender Creeping Red Fescue 20 Festuca rubra litoralis Sweet Vernal 4 Anthoxanthum odoratum Small Timothy 5 Pheleum bertolonii When to use: In general, the best time for sowing perennial wildflower seeds is late summer/autumn (late August-October) when there is likely to be consistent moisture and warmth without extremes of cold or dry. Spring (late March-May) is usually considered the next best time to sow perennial wildflower seed, particularly if the ground is likely to be waterlogged over the winter. Application Window Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec How to use: Prepare the ground New Seed Bed Overseeding Remove unwanted vegetation Cultivate the soil to a depth of 150 mm removing the stones and debris Level, then firm the seedbed Rake the surface to product a fine tilth Cut the grass short as possible and remove the clippings Remove excess thatch to allow the seed to reach the soil surface If compacted, aerate the soil Provide water If there has been little rainfall irrigate gently and slowly to fully wet through the soil profile Sow seed Sow seeds evenly using the correct sowing rate for the seed mix Because sowing rates for wildflower seed are low, it is usually helpful to mix the seed with a carrier material such as slightly damp sand Press the seeds into the soil using a roller or the back of a rake to ensure good seed to soil contact Provide water Keep the soil surface moist but not wet until the seeds have germinated AND established Irrigate slowly and gently to avoid disturbing the seeds Management & aftercare Suggested mowing regime Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Leave uncut unless growth is vigorous Cut and collect clippings Allow to flower and seed Cut and collect clippings Leave uncut unless growth is vigorous, but can be cut as frequently as once every fortnight if required Many grasslands and meadows are traditionally managed by grazing but mowing and removing the clippings can be used to replicate the process of hay cutting and grazing. It is important to remove clippings to avoid nutrients being returned to the soil. Soils for wildflowers are usually low in nutrients to encourage species diversity.