A Cut Above The Rest

I count my cultivation of the Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) as one of my finest horticultural achievements – which is ironic considering this involved my ‘forgetting’ to cut the lawn for several weeks. This only goes to show that the gargantuan efforts of horticulturists are often overshadowed by the work of the mother of all gardeners – nature. If only we could rid ourselves of our obsession with uniform green sward, we might risk unleashing a hot bed of lawn life and wild flower action.

To Mow Or Not To Mow

Letting your grass go is like growing your hair – its messy, and you never know how it will turn out. But longer grass provides an environment for growing wildflowers – which will attract butterflies and bees into the garden. Experiment initially by giving over some lawn to informal meadow, whilst keeping most of your lawn for lounging.

How To Grow A Meadow

There are basically two types of meadow – spring and summer. Spring meadow flowers in April / May, Summer meadow flowers in July – September. Alternatively stop the cut for 2 –3 weeks whenever and see what grows.

Expect to have to strim and rake after wild flowers have set seed- then mow. This is tough work and will leave you with a pile of hay to compost, but its infinitely more satisfying than mowing week in week out.

All Things Come To Those Who Wait

Unless your lawn is relatively ancient it won’t turn all Monet overnight. You might have to deal with horribly vigorous Rye grass, as well as introduce wildflower species – ideally sown as seed in autumn – but more about that in the future.

What might I get?

Most lawn ‘weeds’ will produce prodigious flowers throughout the summer months. Daisies and dandelions really are the tip of the iceburg.

You may find Ox-eye daisy, Cats ear or hawkweed –all producing tall daisy like flowers, or Birds-foot-trefoil produces yellow sweet pea like blossoms.

In shadier areas you might find ground ivy, with purple trumpet shaped flowers, or Dog Voilet sending forth masses of tiny blue violet flowers.

Wild flowers will appear anywhere with time, and the right management. All it takes is for the gardener to realise that ecology is just as important as orderly neatness, and nature, unlike a tidy lawn, cannot be laid overnight.