Bees, butterflies and blooms, part2

[Skyhook]

Just received the latest T&M catalogue (Thompson and Morgan) and on page 2 they offer a Wildflower "Honey Bee" seed mix.
I shall order some and give it a go, trouble is there's only 1g - I really need enough for several acres...

This might be more the thing then... http://www.meadowmania.co.uk/default.cfm/loadindex.68

 

[Luminos]

Ooh, thanks for that, Skyhook - I'll have a look

 

[alanf]

Ooh, thanks for that, Skyhook - I'll have a look

As an alternative, I have used Emorsgate in the past. They sell seed mixes but also quote for hundreds of individual species by the gram (or Kilogram) if you want your own mix or a few favourites as additions. They supply local authorties and wildlife trusts etc with bulk seed and operate mail order though wildseed.co.uk . No connection other than as a customer.

Most of the UK suppliers specialise in UK sourced strains, Emorsgate quote specific places for each species source. If you are outside the UK you might want to search a bit harder for a local specialist to avoid bringing in other strains. Of course if your job is big enough you could contact them direct for a quote to harvest a seed mix on a contract basis from a local source.

 

[Luminos]

I've discovered that not all UK suppliers will send stuff to France, so I'll have to check that.
And quite often, French suppliers won't sell direct to the public...

The wildflowers where I am are pretty much the same as in southern England - birds' foot trefoil, loosestrife, scabious, wild carrot etc - all grow here. I would just like more of them

 

[REDWOOD]

Have you seen these, let me know if they are any good
http://www.poundland.co.uk/top-tips/bulbs-perennials-and-seeds/

 

[REDWOOD]

Or these
http://www.99pstoresltd.com/ViewProdDetails.asp?prod_code=PON11D000048&Cat_Code=50&Subcat_Code=177

 

[REDWOOD]

Or mix with this
http://www.99pstoresltd.com/ViewProdDetails.asp?prod_code=PON11D000047&Cat_Code=50&Subcat_Code=177

 

[Erichalfbee]

Have you seen these, let me know if they are any good
http://www.poundland.co.uk/top-tips/bulbs-perennials-and-seeds/

These are OK
Liatris
Dahlias , simple flowers not the doubles.
Sunshine garden, the simple yellow flowers
Philadelphus
Escallonia
Hypericum
Potentilla
Wild flower mix
Alium
Sedum
Roses, simple not double flowers
Sunflowers
Herb Garden
Runner beans

 

[Erichalfbee]

Or these
99pstoresltd

Yup.
Poppies
Lots of linaria there. Bees love those.
Small tip. If you want to plant lots of poppies cooking poppy seeds are really cheap and produce opium poppies by the million. Ideal for guerilla planting

 

[HiB mary]

Harrogate in Bloom ran the nectar-rich seed give away project as a way of raising awareness about Sarah's campaign. However I'm not convinced the average gardener is ready to introduce wild flowers into his/her plot - a good mix of nectar-rich ornamentals is a far better choice for most of us and you can provide a nectar source in the garden over a much longer period. The meadow seed mixes are expensive and need to be bought each year to get the right mix/effect. Yes, they will self seed but some will germinate more readily than others, so it's all a bit haphazard.

Here in Harrogate our next giveaway is more likely to be along the lines of nectar and pollen rich perennials. When the Nectar Bar bed in Valley Gardens which was featured in programme 2 needs to have plants dug up and divided, I shall be in there with some spare pots and compost. Sustainability and free plants - the perfect combination.

 

[Andre cardona]

iv just bort some seed from this site free posting Extra Rich Nectar & Pollen Wildflower Meadow Mix. Light/Medium Soil 100g
£7.95 a good price

http://www.beehappyplants.co.uk/

 

[JCD]

Anyone got any pics of their wild flower patch's?

As Erichalfbee said earlier in the year
" Perhaps we should all plant a little area up and swap pictures in the summer"

I planted up a small derelict plot, and am very pleased with the results.....see the before and after pics below. If we find out that even a few of us actually did this....well then we've made a difference... and that can't be bad!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Good one!
Alas I left my patch behind when the house was sold but will start anew.