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Wild flowers

peteSpeteS Posts: 963
in Plants
After watching an article on GW last week about wild flowers, I thought I would like to give it a go. I've got a small patch of gravel which has over the years accumulated enough soil in amongst it to support self seeded ornamental grasses. So does anyone know if this environment sounds like it could support wild flowers once the grasses are removed, and if so, what would be the best time to sow the seeds. Many thanks.

Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,405
    Yes, and you don't need to remove all the ornamental grasses. They'll help create a meadow effect. (Obviously remove any that are thugs). That will work better than a meadow mix which contains native grasses, which can take over and become rank. 
  • B3B3 Posts: 26,486
    Poppies and larkspur will grow in gravel. I know because my seeds germinated in next door's gravel and not in my soil. Californian poppies should grow easily too purple toadflax as well.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    You should find a wide range of wild native plants will work. They tend to like 'impoverished' soil and sharp drainage and it is less likely they will get swamped with the more common and pernicious weeds. You may find that keeping them well watered while they establish is necessary, after that, it will be very low maintenance. 
  • FireFire Posts: 17,348
    edited July 2020
    Ox eyes daisies are growing quite happily in my gravel and valerian officianalis, borage, Californian poppies, feverfew, forgetmenots. (All self sown).
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,819
    Nigella definitely does.  Verbena bonariensis is always seeding in our gravel.
  • B3B3 Posts: 26,486
    I would be inclined to buy a few packets of named wildflower varieties rather than a mix. Then you'll know you've got what you like 
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • FireFire Posts: 17,348
    B3 said:
    I would be inclined to buy a few packets of named wildflower varieties rather than a mix. Then you'll know you've got what you like 

    I agree.
  • peteSpeteS Posts: 963
    Sutton seeds do some very good mixes for a very good price, but they all include some tallish varieties...and tall is  something I want to avoid, because the summers up here seem to becoming more and more of a washout every year and I can envisage a flattened tangled mess if there is too much height. So, I think buying specific varieties is going to be the best option.
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