Discovering the Enchanting Flora of Meadows and the Challenges of Boosting Biodiversity through Meadow Planting

Garden Blooms to Brighten Meadows

Meadows are not just patches of green grass anymore; they have become vibrant havens for a variety of plants that add colour, texture, and life to these spaces. Here are some standout plants that are perfect for meadows, each with its unique characteristics and benefits.

Firstly, the California buckwheat plants, particularly Eriogonum giganteum, are a sight to behold. In May, they bloom with white flowers that transform to rusty hues in autumn. These plants provide excellent habitats for birds and pollinators and can grow up to 1.2 meters tall. Other species of Eriogonum, such as Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum and Eriogonum grande var. rubescens, also thrive in gardens, offering white pom-poms that fade to rust and pink-red flowers, respectively. All these species grow up to the same height.

Another late-bloomer is Muhlenbergia capillaris Regal Mist (= 'Lenca'), a perennial plant that drifts across the meadow just as most other perennials are fading out, surprising with a last burst of pink. It grows up to 90 centimeters tall.

Cistus x skanbergii is a low-growing rock rose with a profusion of pink flowers in spring. It adds a touch of elegance, growing up to 80 centimeters tall.

Tragopogon pratensis (goat's beard or meadow salsify) is a biennial plant that resembles the dandelion and has yellow flowers that open at sunrise and close around midday. It flowers between June and October, and its roots and buds are edible, having a flavour similar to oysters. This plant grows up to 1 meter tall.

Juncus effusus is a rush plant that intermingles with Juncus patens 'Carman's Gray' to provide a green matrix in damper areas throughout the year. It grows up to 1.2 meters tall.

The most common orchid species found in UK meadows is the Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii).

Hippocrepis comosa (horseshoe vetch) is a low, spreading grassland perennial with five-petalled golden flowers that bloom throughout May and early June. It is a favourite of bees, butterflies, moths, and various butterfly species such as the Adonis Blue Butterfly, Chalkhill Blue, Dingy Skipper Caterpillar, and Cabbage White butterfly, Bath White, and Orange Tip. It grows up to 40 centimeters tall.

Ophrys apifera (bee orchid) is an orchid that resembles a bee and emits a scent that replicates a female bee scent. It grows on a variety of habitats and is hairy to touch, much like a bee. It grows up to 30 centimeters tall.

Artemisia 'Powis Castle' benefits from some trimming in winter and can provide some structure. It grows up to 60 centimeters tall.

Reseda lutea (wild mignonette) is a tall, biennial plant that favors well-drained soils and open habitats. Its leaves and pale, greenish-yellow flowers have long been used to create a yellow dye called weld. It blooms in May and June and is traditionally found in grass.

Briza media (quaking grass) is an evergreen grass that favors well-drained slopes and calcareous soils. It has green-purple flowers that fade to buff and is great for drying. It flowers between May and August and dies back in autumn, with fresh growth remerging in spring. It grows up to 90 centimeters tall.

Ceratostigma willmottianum has red stems that provide an interesting contrast against the grasses after it loses its leaves. It grows up to 1 meter tall.

Lastly, Salvia leucophylla xSalvia clevelandii 'Pozo Blue' is a deep-blue cultivar that stays below waist level, is very drought-tolerant, and highly scented in hot weather. It grows up to 1.2 meters tall.

These plants not only bring beauty to meadows but also serve as valuable habitats for various species of birds and pollinators. So, consider incorporating some of these plants into your meadow for a colourful and wildlife-friendly space.