Tips for Designing Stunning Landscapes with Perennial Wildflower Meadow Seeds and Turf

In this blog, our Landscape Manager Owen discusses the benefits of using Pictorial Meadows products and the key factors to consider when designing stunning landscapes with perennial wildflower meadow seeds and turf.

The benefits of using Pictorial Meadows products:

(1) The Right Plants

For more than twenty years, Pictorial Meadows have worked with almost 600 different plants to find the diversity of star performers found in our perennial wildflower seed mixes and turf today. We mix the most impactful native wildflowers and enhance them with a selection of global species to create stunning perennial meadows with long-season interest for people and wildlife.

(2) Ecologically and Visually Balanced Seed Mixes and Turf

The recipes for our perennial wildflower seed mixes and turf are backed by detailed species data. We trial the mixes to assess how the meadows look and perform overtime to provide long flowering periods and high impact throughout the season. This is what sets our meadows apart as ‘designer meadows’.

(3) A Range of Perennial Wildflower Meadow Options

We have carefully formulated perennial wildflower seed mixes and turf suited to wide-ranging conditions, from damp rain gardens to exposed rooftops.

Key factors to consider when designing stunning landscapes with perennial wildflower meadow seeds and turf:

(1) Soil Fertility

Sending samples away for basic lab analysis of P, K, and Mg is worthwhile. Soils with a phosphorus index of 0-1 are best for our low nutrient perennial wildflower seed mixes and turf, while our other perennial mixes and turf are suited to average fertility soils.

(2) Weed Competition

When creating a perennial wildflower meadow from seed or turf, we recommend thoroughly weeding the soil, then sowing onto a 10cm sterile mulch of weed-free sand to help minimise competitive weeds.

(3) Drainage and Soil Moisture

If water temporarily pools on the surface after heavy rain, choose one of our perennial wildflower seed mixes or turf suited to moderate seasonal waterlogging. If the site is sharply drained and dry, choose one of our drought-tolerant perennial mixes or turf.

(4) Light Levels

Some of our perennial wildflower seed mixes and turf are suited to semi-shade, meaning at least four hours of direct light in summer. Otherwise, perennial wildflower meadows do best in sunny, open conditions. Sun tracking apps are very useful for finding out what times of day the site gets direct sunlight, for how long, at different times of year.

(5) Access

Access for perennial wildflower meadow management should be considered, such as weeding, and cutting and collecting the arisings. If your perennial wildflower meadow is set within existing grass or other vegetation, keep a perimeter of the neighbouring grass mown short. This will frame the perennial wildflower meadow and help prevent encroachment by weeds.

(6) Placing the Perennial Wildflower Meadow

The widespread appreciation of perennial wildflower meadows means they are widely used at almost any scale and context. Think about where the meadow will be viewed from; meadows can look particularly good on slopes that rise away from the viewer, but only perennial wildflower turf should be used on slopes rather than seed. Factor in paths, seating areas, vistas and viewpoints where areas are looked down on from high.

Explore our stunning range of perennial wildflower meadow seeds and turf