wild flower seeds

[Carole]

Hi everyone,
I have just joined this forum in the hope that I can get some sound advice. We have recently moved to a house where there is an area of unspoilt, bluebell woodland and a flat open space alongside. Currently the flat area is filled with Green Alkanet (probably an interloper as we are in the West Midlands), brambles and not much else. My plans had been to plant some wild flowers in this space and mow it every now and then to make a usable area. However I have just realised that some of the seed merchants sell seeds from plants that are not indiginous to the UK let alone our area.
Has anyone done anything like this? Any advice? I'd hate to start another Himalayan Balsam type of scenario.
Thanks for any help,
Carole

[big bill]

Hello Carole and welcome to the site dont know much about it I bought wild seed mixture from garden centre but there will be someone who knows more who will help

[naturelover]

hi carole welcome to the site,i am afraid i am the same as bill but if you hang on someone will help you.

[Dan Salter]

Hi Carole..

Firstly welcome...and secondly good for you !..not just for wanting to plant wildflowers but to actually think about it and realise about the native issue.

Sadly ..a lot of the readily available "Wild flower seed" mixes for sale in garden centres and places like wilko's ( wilkinsons ) may well be wild flowers but NOT native to the UK.... most of the ones i have seen are american made so are full of things like califorian poppy etc.

Other "Wildflower seed mix" or " Wildlife graden butterfly/ bird mix" etc...also contain lots of beneficial wildlife/bird seed plants and nectar rich garden plants for insects and butterflies but they are NOT always native wild flowers. I think these points are what you already spotted??
People need to be aware of the terms "Wildlife friendly seeds" or "Wildlife Gardening" and "Wildflower seed mix"...none of these neccesserily mean NATIVE UK WILDFLOWERS...but dont worry there are plenty of suppliers of NATIVE wild flower seed/mixes and plug plants...but be warned they are a lot more pricey than the american style mixes from wilkinsons etc...i will try and add some links for you in a moment

Dan

[Dan Salter]

Try some of these

Wildflower seed mixtures

Wildflowers UK, plants seeds and native wild flowers

Kreye's Design By Nature

Wild flower seed, wildflower seeds bulbs & plugs. Lawn & Grass seed

Really Wild Flowers - Seed mixes

this should help you out

[ron1863]

Hi Carole and welcome to WAB. Good luck with the wildflowers.

[buzfuz8149]

Hi Carole,

a warm welcome to WAB, glad to hear your plans for your land, I look forward to your posts and seeing photos.

Carol.

[Dutchess]

Hi Carole,

'Nice to have you here. Plus it's good to hear you are making an effort to get the right stuff growing "wild"

All the best with it all.

D.

[Carole]

Thanks everyone for your warm welcome and responses. I'm really overwhelmed at having so many replies so soon.
I shall look through the links you have given me Dan and keep you up to date. What a good idea to take photos too. I'm usually too late to take the 'before' pics but I shall do this time
Thanks again,
Carole