Maintenance

ANNUAL MIXES

At the end of the flowering season the dead stalks should be cut off and removed. The area should then be sprayed to kill any grass or weed growth that has developed during the growing season. The area will then need to be re-cultivated, as above, in time for the following seasons sowing with new seed.

Annual mixes are designed to last for only 1 year  but if the area sown is left uncut you may get some flowers next season from self-sown seed. However, this will not be anything like the original display and the area will become dominated by weed growth.

PERENNIAL MIXES

At the end of the flowering season (generally between late August and mid September) the dead growth should be cut down to between 10 and 15cm height and the stalks raked up and removed.   

The dominant species within the perennial mixes will change over time, as some plants will take several years to fully establish. Therefore it will be necessary to adjust the cutting time each year to maximise the displays. Selective weeding of obvious grass or perennial weeds should be undertaken. Ground preparation can also be undertaken in any areas where there may have been poor or no germination.

Perennial mixes from this range are not like wild flower meadows, they need an element of ongoing management and should not be thought of as a low maintenance option. It is important that areas are checked and weeded if necessary, to prevent establishment of perennial weed species.