SPORTING ANSWERS
Which wildflowers to sow?
PLANTS
Q Our hedges have nice grassy bases, but there are not many wildflowers. I would like to add to their value by sowing some wildflower seed, but I am told that the flowers will struggle to compete with the grass. I am also unsure what flowers to choose. Can you offer any advice?
A You are quite right that sowing wildflowers into established grass is rarely successful. Even if the seeds reach the ground and germinate, rather than getting caught above soil level, they rarely establish successfully.
You are much more likely to succeed if you grow some seedlings and then plant them out as small established plants. You can either buy seed and grow at home or buy plug plants.
Either way, I would suggest that you seek out native home-grown stock from a specialist wildflower supplier, rather than buying who knows what at the local garden centre.
What you should grow depends on soil type and it pays to see what is growing in local hedges and try to copy that.
