FAQ
Here are some samples of the type of questions we get asked frequently. By sharing them & the answers with you we hope it will help you to get the most from Pictorial Meadows.
Is there any grass seed content in your mixes?
There is no grass content to the Pictorial Meadows mixes. Pictorial Meadows are not designed to be a traditional meadow & use exotic flowers which would struggle to become established if competing with grasses. We can supply the Manor Oaks Range of Traditional Meadow mixes which do contain 80% Grass/20% Flowers.
What are the suggested sowing rates for your mixes?
The suggested sowing rates are 2 - 3 g per square metres for annuals and 1g per square metre for perennials.
Last year we bought a selection of seeds from yourselves, which in the main have re-seeded themselves but there are several species which have not. Any thoughts?
If this is an aPictorial Meadows annual mix you will find that some species will not self-seed. The mixes have been designed to provide excellent annual flowering performance rather than for their seed setting and continuity. We would normally recommend recultivating each year. For perennial mixes obviously the perennial species will carry over to the following season. However most perennial mixes also have an annual content to give better first year colour.
Have you any answer to keeping weed out/down?
My meadow areas are large, and packed with flowers making it difficult not to trample things down with hand weeding.
My meadow areas are large, and packed with flowers making it difficult not to trample things down with hand weeding.
Weed control would normally be to clear native weeds prior to sowing each season by chemical or mechanical methods. For subsequent years a meadows management regime is required using traditional meadow cuts at the end and start of the season to keep the native weed growth down to give the flower species a chance to compete.
If weeding has not been done prior to flowering or has not been effective then hand weeding is the only option. The flowers are fairly robust and cope quite well with being walked through. In fact we encourage the local population to pick the flowers in our public space plantings in Sheffield and there is no real detrimental effect.
If weeding has not been done prior to flowering or has not been effective then hand weeding is the only option. The flowers are fairly robust and cope quite well with being walked through. In fact we encourage the local population to pick the flowers in our public space plantings in Sheffield and there is no real detrimental effect.
When is the best time to sow Pictorial Meadows Seeds
Annual Mixtures are designed to be sown in the Spring, March, April, May and will usually start flowering about 6 weeks later. The Perennial Mixes can be sown either in the Autumn or Spring, with the exception of Woodland Edge mix which needs a frost to germinate, so sow before Christmas for the following season.
Can I mix your Pictorial Meadows seeds with Grass seeds ?
No – the grass will out-complete the Pictorial Meadows seeds so you would be wasting your money.
Can I sprinkle your seeds over an existing meadow to add extra colour ?
No our seeds are designed to be sown on bare soil they will not germinate otherwise
