Best time for sowing a wildflower meadow - autumn or spring?

what is the best time for sowing wild flower seeds?

This would be in two locations, one where the grass grows (on a steep slope), and one where the soil is so poor the grass doesn't grow!! - relatively flat.

 

Hi again Sian

Im looking at this myself right now with a view to having a couple of smallish areas set aside for wildflowers. These will be mainly in semi shade, one south facing (dry) and the other north facing (damp).

My thoughts are that naturally occuring plants (generally) flower through the summer, set seed and drop them in the autumn. These then lie dormant during winter and germinate in spring. I figure that I will try to replicate this by sowing in the ground soon, but also will try to sow and scarify in my fridge and also scarify the dry seeds in the fridge then sow indoors. I may try sowing some in the spring, but from the info I have gathered, there needs to be a period of cold before germination will occur.

I have a shopping list of seeds, and will try.
Cotton Thistle and Scotch Thistle
Birds Foot Trefoil
Primula - Cowslip / Oxlip
Teasle
Winter Aconite
Cyclamen Hederifolium

I have already sown Harebell and Scabious. Harebell has germinated but no signs from the Scabious yet. Im thinking I will put the Scabious tray in the fridge for a while.

Also I have Snakeshead Fritillary in a container with other bulbs for the spring which come back each year. I think they are meadow flowers that like quite damp soil so will try some in the ground.

Its all a learning curve and a challange. All part of the fun and all successes are celebrated and failures learnt from.


Dave

 

I sowed a wildflower meadow last April and it has been wonderful. I bought the basic wildflower meadow mix from The Grass Seed Company; it was expensive and I sowed it at the recommended rate. The flowers this year have been the annuals;corn flower, corncockle, corn marigold, poppies and mayweed mostly and there is clearly some under story growing away which includes mostly sheeps fescue and some perrennial flowers so I imagine next year it will be quite different. Here are some pictures.

 

Ragged Robin for the shady/damp areas don't forget!