What to expect from your wildflower meadow:

The trend for wildflower meadows has been blooming for nearly a decade now, and it's more than just a passing fashion.

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As the importance of pollinators has finally sunk in, gardeners across the country have embraced the joy and purpose of sowing wildflower seeds. Those bold, flowering meadows - brimming with colour in the first year have become a familiar sight in gardens, schools, verges and community spaces. But while many enjoy spectacular results from the start, especially with pictorial annual meadows, it's worth pausing - particularly now, in the middle of seed-sowing season - to reflect on what happens next.

Creating a long-term, species-rich wildflower meadow takes time. The real magic comes not just in that first flush of blooms, but in watching a living system evolve over the years. Here's what to expect from your meadow as it matures.

YEAR 1: A riot of colour