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.

Brighton Telford Cardiff

 

Dr Nigel Dunnett , Professor of Planting Design and Vegetation Technology 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 and 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, impressionistic effects on the large scale at a cost-effective price. 

They are packed with plants that appeal to pollinators such as Bees and Butterflies and are considerably more labour and cost effective than traditional annual bedding plant schemes.

 

Where ever 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.  

MEADOW ESTABLISHMENT SERVICE.

Pictorial Meadows parent company, Green Estate Ltd, have purpose built seeding equipment and offer a professional Meadow Establishment service to Local Authorities who do not wish to undertake the work themselves.

For further information email dan@greenestate.org or call Dan Cornwell on 0114 276 2828

Check out  Pictorial Meadows special Galleries of Urban Landscapes in Sheffield and Telford