Wildflower Seed for Dry Soils Drier soils are often lower in nutrients providing an ideal root zone for wild flower species. Pro Flora 6 can be used on maintainable slopes with lower available moisture as well as larger areas of lighter soil. Sowing Rate Flowering Height Flowering Period 5g/m2 5cm - 2m May - November 20% Wildflowers Common name % Species Autumn Hawkbit 1 Leontodon autumnalis Birdsfoot Trefoil 4 Lotus corniculatus Black Knapweed 9 Centaurea nigra Black Medick 2 Medicago lupulina Bladder Campion 3 Silene vulgaris Bulbous Buttercup 1 Ranunculus bulbosus Clustered Bellflower 1 Campanula glomerata Common St John's Wort 3 Hypericum perforatum Common Agrimony 9 Agrimonia eupatoria Cowslip 1 Primula veris Field Scabious 5 Knautia arvensis Hoary Plantain 2 Plantago media Great Mullein 2 Verbascum thapsus Kidney Vetch 5 Anthyllis vulneraria Lady's Bedstraw 9 Galium verum Musk Mallow 1 Malva moschata Ox-Eye Daisy 6 Leucanthemum vulgare Salad Burnet 9 Sanguisorba minor Sheeps Sorrel 2 Rumex acetosella Viper's Bugloss 5 Echium vulgare Wild Carrot 2 Daucus carota Yarrow 7 Achillea millefolium Yellow Rattle 11 Rhinanthus minor 80% Grasses Common name % Species Browntop Bent 5 Agrostis capillaris Chewings Fescue 25 Festuca rubra commutata Crested Dogstail 21 Cynosurus cristatus Golden Oatgrass 4 Trisetum flavescens Sheeps Fescue 5 Festuca ovina Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass 10 Poa pratensis Slender Creeping Red Fescue 25 Festuca rubra litoralis Smaller Catstail 5 Phleum 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 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.
