Wildflower Meadow Puzzle
Hi all,
I've just planted about 1/2 acre of a wildflower mix in the southwest coast of Ireland... http://www.wildflowers.ie/mixes/mm/mm06.htm
and I've already encountered a conundrum that I need assistance with.
I intend to manage weeds etc by either manual or mechanical means but already it seems that I may have a 'highly populated' substrate. The trouble is I can't recognise the weeds from the lush mix I have planted.
I have even prepared a little booklet for myself to identify the approximately 30 varieties in the wildflower mix but this doesn't help with seedlings. I'm also sure that there is a very wide range of other species in the ground that might also be acceptable.
So, if I post pics could you help me understand if the mystery seedlings are;
Eoin
I've just planted about 1/2 acre of a wildflower mix in the southwest coast of Ireland... http://www.wildflowers.ie/mixes/mm/mm06.htm
and I've already encountered a conundrum that I need assistance with.
I intend to manage weeds etc by either manual or mechanical means but already it seems that I may have a 'highly populated' substrate. The trouble is I can't recognise the weeds from the lush mix I have planted.
I have even prepared a little booklet for myself to identify the approximately 30 varieties in the wildflower mix but this doesn't help with seedlings. I'm also sure that there is a very wide range of other species in the ground that might also be acceptable.
So, if I post pics could you help me understand if the mystery seedlings are;
- Part of the mix above
- Not part of the mix but desirable to keep
- Or, a weed that needs to be removed urgently.
Eoin
0
Posts
https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/comment/1698752/
Any Ideas what it might be?
I'm a gardening 'noob' so all education appreciated.
Eoin
The pics are taken today (8th March) and the ground is very wet from heavy rain.
The top soil is a rich black type, giving me a PH neutral when tested and has not been heavily farmed before I moved in.
I have removed as much topsoil as possible to suit the wildflower mix. The clay (and topsoil) that remains is not particularly heavy and sits on a shale, south facing hillside.
Drainage is reasonably good with a sandy layer about 700mm below the surface.
Eoin
No idea about the first pic ... is it one plant or a clump of seedlings?
The second pic is Lamium purpureum aka Red Deadnettle, an annual of the Lamium family ...bumble bees love the little mauve flowers.
It's not part of the wildflower mix brought in - see below.
Eoin
Species List:
Annuals 15%, Biennials 12.5%, Perennials 72.5%,
Birdsfoot Trefoil. Corn Marigold, Corncockle, Cowslip, Devils Bit Scabious, Eyebright, Meadow Buttercup, Fleabane, Greater Trefoil, Marsh Marigold, Marsh Cinquefoil, Lesser Knapweed, Scented Mayweed, Meadowsweet, Ox-eye Daisy, Purple Loosestrife, Ragged Robin, Red Bartsia, Red Campion, Red Clover, Ribwort Plantain, Selfheal, Sorrel, Water Avens, Wild Angelica, Yarrow, Yellow Flag Iris, Yellow Rattle.. Woundwort, 0.5% Molinia
I didn't add anything to the mix and I suspect you are right. There is still some grass growing though. I must identify it.
Is the Molinia a grass?
The seed was planted last September/October so this is the first season.
Eoin