For Local Authorities
Pictorial Meadows seeds have been used by many local authorities throughout the UK as an ideal and cost effective way of managing problem areas such as cleared or demolished sites, roundabouts and verges.
Dr Nigel Dunnett , Reader in Urban Landscaping at Sheffield University who developed the Pictorial Meadows concept explained at a recent seminar for Local Authorities, 'Transforming Urban Landscapes' :
"The key to Pictorial Meadows Annual mixes is that they have a long flowering season in the same piece of ground with minimal input. This is achieved by using a successional approach to formulating mixes. Early flowering species (usually flowering within 8 weeks from sowing) are short and we use them in quite low numbers : they flower against the foil of the fresh green foliage of the later-flowering species.
We include a higher proportion of later-flowering species in the mix - they are taller and grow up and hide the dying remains of the earlier species. After flowering , mixes can be left to stand over winter for their seed heads amd skeletons, or can be cut back to ground level in autumn."
The advantage of Pictorial Meadows mixtures in urban landscapes is that they create big, impresionistic effects on the large scale at a cost efective price. Wherever the mixes are used the response is positive : they seem magnetic to children and adults alike. When used on demolished sites they have helped reduce fly-tipping and car dumping etc. Maintenance is minimal and there is no ongoing continual mowing costs compared with, say, a grass verge.
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