A magical MEADOW

All you need is a sunny spot in the garden to create a heavenly patch of pasture

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Seed tip

Several companies specialize in seed mixes to suit your growing conditions. British Wildflower Seeds (britishwildflowermeadowseeds. co.UK) has options for coastal sites, sandy soil, light shade, and damp soil, as well as specific regions. The Special General Meadow Seed Mix, £8.50, features cornflowers and field poppies to add color while you wait for the perennial species to get started.

There's nothing quite as lovely as a summer meadow – so it's no wonder that meadow-style planting in domestic gardens has enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years. Thankfully, you don't need acres of ground to grow native wildflowers – you can create a mini-meadow in a patch as small as 1sq m.

Sowing success

For a successful meadow, there are a couple of things to consider. First, aim for diversity. Even in a tiny meadow, you can attract a surprising number of different insects – the secret is to choose a mix with a large number of flowering plants. A ratio of around 80:20 grass to wildflowers is normal, but some mixes feature more blooms.