Description
Creating a thriving wildflower meadow in shaded woodland areas can be challenging, but the results are incredibly rewarding. This specially formulated mix is designed to flourish in the dappled light beneath broadleaved trees, though it may be more difficult to establish under conifers.
The Shady Woodland mix is not intended to replicate an Irish ecosystem exactly, but rather to introduce a diverse selection of native species that would take hundreds of years to develop if you were to leave nature to its own devices.
Over time, it will create a rich habitat, attracting wildlife and enhancing local biodiversity. With patience and proper care, this mix will establish lasting flora in shaded woodland areas.
The mix primarily flowers in spring and early summer, with fewer blooms appearing from June onward. Late autumn and early summer sowings may take longer to emerge, depending on weather conditions.
- Under normal conditions (mainly early autumn and spring sowing), germination begins around six weeks after sowing.
- Up to 40% of seeds should germinate in the first year.
- Up to 60% of species should emerge within two years.|
- By the fourth year, up to 80% of species should have bloomed.
Species List: Bluebell, Burdock, Dog Violet, Cowslip, Devils Bit Scabious, Foxglove, Hedge Garlic Mustard, Lesser Knapweed, Meadowsweet, Ramson, Red Campion, Ribwort Plantain, Sorrel, Upright Hedge Parsley, Wild Angelica, Wood Avens, Hemp Agrimony, Broadleaf Plantain, Primrose, Sweet Violet, Wood Sage
Specifications
Total number of seeds per gram: 2308
Suitable for soil type: All types of soil, Clay, Loam, Sand, Light Soil, Heavy Soil, and Peat
Moisture Level: Dry, Normal, Moist (but not flooded wet)
pH range: Best between 5.5 - 6.5, <7.5
Aspect: Semi Shade and Shaded. Performance will be limited under very heavy tree canopies of beech and conifers.
Life Cycle: Biennial & Perennial.
Height Range: <30cm to >100cm
Flowering Period: March and April to June.
Fertility Range: Will grow in very fertile soil to poor soil. If very infertile, apply fertiliser (see Instructions tab)
Wintergreen: In sheltered woodland.
The main species which should dominate and persist in this mixture if the ground is kept free of grass and not cultivated: Bluebell, Cowslip, Devils Bit Scabious, Hemp Agrimony, Broadleaf Plantain, Cow-Parsley, Ramsons, Red Campion, Wood Avens
- Biennial Species: Alexanders, Burdock, Foxglove, Mullein, Hedge Garlic Mustard, Upright Hedge Parsley, Wild Angelica, Wild Carrot, Welsh Poppy.
- Rare, unusual, and feature species: Primrose, Wood Sanicle, Welsh Poppy, Wood Sage,
- Species which will grow if the conditions are ideal: Sweet Violet, Dog Violet.
- Species which will be affected by management: Primrose, keep weed free until established, Primula species will germinate in the second or third year after sowing.
See Instructions tab for Sowing and Maintenance advice.
Woodland wildflowers will not flower in the first year. Some species are very slow to appear. You will have to wait for 3 years for the bluebells to flower, but they do germinate easily. Primrose, Sweet Violet and Dog Violet germinate in year 2 or 3, flowers by year 4.
Product Warning: While this Ecotype mixture contains the seed of edible and herbal species, it's not for human or animal consumption as it contains species such as Bluebell, Hemp Agrimony, and Foxglove which are toxic if ingested. Figwort may attract wasps.
Instructions
Sowing Specification: Roll or rake into surface to keep out of reach from birds.
Soil Preparation: Normal: create fine tilt on seed bed
Optimum Sowing Time: Autumn after leaf fall, or spring.
Sowing Conditions: Normal
Sowing Method: By hand is recommended. If using seed spreaders, be careful to ensure that the small varieties of seed do not drop to the bottom of the seed spreader and get sown all in the one place. Can also be Hydrasown.
Fertiliser: None; unless in conifer wood or where leaf litter has been removed in old woodland. Powdered or liquid seaweed will aid germination.
Seed Sowing Rates: 1.5 grams per metre.
Normal sowing rate 'without added grass seed': 1.5 grams per metre.
High sowing rate 'without added grass seed': Add 3 grams per metre.
Low sowing rate: 1 gram per metre for clean soil over large areas..
EC03 is a difficult mixture to grow. The area must be prepared and managed to the highest standards. Try to eliminate all nettles, Ivy and bramble by cutting or strimming the area, or by spraying.
Many species in this mixture are not 'Browse' resistant when germinating.
Maintenance
Performance: The first year is the critical year to maintain this meadow, as only a few species will be germinating; and some of those that do will be slow growing, so please keep it weed-free by spot spraying/killing known weeds such as nettles.
Persistence if unmanaged: High
Tolerance of Cutting: Low
General Cutting Time: None required.
Specific Cutting Time: Wait 3 weeks until after the last flush of flowers fades away after seeds set in July.
Management: Control weeds, and ensure the leaf litter remains on the forest/woodland floor. Shelter can be cheaply provided by planting cuttings of Elderberry and Wild Raspberry or thornless soft fruit.
Grass seed or nurse crop requirement:
Nurse Crop: No nurse crop is required.
Grass Seed Requirement: None.
Sow with or without grasses: Unnecessary
If sown without grasses: This mixture will not require a nurse crop.