Wildflower seeds

Sow the seed

Euroflor is the market-leading flower seed range from industry giant Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS). Jayne Leyland, Product Manager for OAS advises why you should be sowing in autumn and recommends the top-10 Euroflor mixes to sow now

Flowers and wildflowers enrich the environment, support bio-diversity, produce stunning views and add colour to any landscape but none more than to a greying urban environment. Sowing and planting into areas such as highway verges, roundabouts and public parkland enhance the appearance, giving a new lease of life for all to enjoy.

Autumn is considered the optimum time for sowing mixes containing native and naturalised species. The emerging plants provide ground cover going into winter, helping prevent erosion plus a spell of winter frost will help to break the dormancy of some species, kick starting earlier flowering the following spring. It is considered to provide better species diversity in year one and lower temperatures and evapo-transpiration together with the possibility of higher rainfall means little if any watering is needed. Autumn sowing reduces the impact of the climatic variability that spring brings, such as prolonged drought or late frosts and sowing perennial mixes during this period also provides more permanent flowering displays which are ideal for substituting or complementing bedding plant schemes.

The top 10 Euroflor mixes for autumn sowing include:

• Alliance - adds a splash of colour to flower beds and borders. It contains red Field (or Common) Poppies (Papaver rhoeas) and Cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus). • Boulevard - perfect for roadside verges, roundabouts and at the front of mixed borders. Low flowing height, contains 20 native & naturalised species, including harebell and cowslip. • Classic – a diverse mix of naturalised and horticultural species, recommended for roadside verges to link the countryside to towns and villages, and for a more natural flowering display in parkland. • Cornflowers. 100% Cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus) which are mainly blue but also shades of pink and white, excellent for a splash of summer colour in border plantings • Endurance – a hardy multi annual and perennial species that is tolerant of changing weather conditions and poor-quality soil. Produces an excellent floral display, ideal for sloped sites and green roof projects. • Flora Britannica - 100% native and naturalised

Euroflor spring flower

species-rich mix recommended for ecological conservation schemes in parkland and riverside edges.

An adaptable mixture with a plant base common to many habitats throughout the UK. • Native Pollinator - a rich mix of 100% UK native and naturalised flora providing abundant nectar and pollen, widely adaptable to a range of soil types, a more discreet flowering display for environmentally sensitive sites in either full sun or partial shade. • Poppies - 100% Field (or Common) Poppies (Papaver rhoeas) of exceptional purity and germination.

Produces beautiful vibrant swards. • Rainbow Perennials - for extended flowering and more permanent displays from spring until late autumn. • Spring Flower – a beautiful and versatile mix that has the capacity to flower twice per year if cut back after flowering. Provides ground cover vegetation over winter as resistant to frost.

Autumn sown mixes contain majority perennial species and self-seeding annuals/biennials which provide flowering displays year after year. Look to sow Euroflor mixes in late August through to the end of September in north and east England, and late August through to mid-October in south and west England. Prepare the ground prior to sowing.

Late summer is the perfect time to prepare for autumn sowing. It provides an ideal opportunity to reduce the ingression of prolific, late spring germinating weed species such as Fat-Hen and Redshank, prior to them setting seed, which will help diminish the weed seed bank in the soil. Follow the following advice for the best results. 1. Cut existing vegetation down to 5 cm or lower in July to prevent self-seeding. 2. If using herbicide to control existing vegetation apply seven to 10 days after cutting to allow for re-growth.

Always follow the recommendations on the product label. 3. Cultivate and prepare an early seed bed in August or early September. 4. Let the weed seed bank germinate and either treat again, hoe or harrow the area to reduce weed species.

If trying to reduce the use of herbicides, Flora Fleece weed suppressant matting is an excellent alternative to herbicide control and also eliminates the need for cultivation prior to sowing. It has proven to be an efficient method for the control of the soil weed seed bank, particularly late germinating, prolific annuals which will compete for space with flowers after three or four years on the same site. It is made of natural recycled fibres and will gradually break down over five to eight months through the growing season.

Sow at a rate of 3-4g per square metre and consider applying a pre-seed organic based fertiliser, such as Apex 4-6-4, particularly if soil fertility is impoverished. Ensure seeds are in good contact with the soil and keep seed and seedlings moist until well established.

Using these sowing rates, 1kg of Euroflor will cover approximately 333 square metres, making it an extremely cost-effective long-term solution. There is minimal maintenance required, OAS would recommend just one cut per year in Autumn after seeds have ripened and fallen, however they can be left unmown for winter interest and to decompose back into the ground or cut back in early spring before new growth if preferred.

• Euroflor have mixes to suit all budgets and project requirements. For more information call 0800 138 7222.