News

Mitigating Floods & Enhancing Biodiversity: The Power of SuDS & Wildflowers

Flooding is a growing concern across the UK, exacerbated by increasingly unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change. The Environment Agency (EA) estimated that in 2022-23, approximately 5.7 million properties in England alone were at risk of flooding. According to the Financial Times (2024), the last few years have been the wettest since records began in 1836! The need for sustainable flood management solutions has never been more urgent.

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) Wildflower Turf® offers a promising solution to this problem. Not only can they create resilient ecosystems that reduce stormwater runoff, but they also enhance biodiversity. SuDS refers to drainage systems that manage surface water that consider water quantity and quality (flooding and pollution) as well as biodiversity and amenity.

The Role of SuDS Turf & Wildflowers in Water Management

SuDs are designed to tolerate wet conditions and absorb large amounts of water. SuDS mimic natural drainage processes, allowing rainwater to infiltrate into the ground rather than flowing directly into sewers or surface water bodies. This helps to reduce the rate of stormwater runoff which can contribute to flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.

So how do…

Purity and Germination Testing: Ensuring Quality and Reliability at Wildflower Turf Ltd

At Wildflower Turf Ltd, we’re committed to providing the highest quality wildflower products. To ensure this, we’ve invested in state-of-the-art purity and germination testing processes.

PURITY TESTING

Purity testing involves meticulously examining a sample of seed to determine the percentage of target species present. This is crucial to eliminate contaminants like plant materials and seeds from other species. We use specialised equipment, including sieves and gravity separators, to separate the desired seeds from impurities. Our goal is to achieve a purity level of 98% or higher for all our wildflower crops.

GERMINATION TESTING

Germination testing is equally important. It involves placing a sample of seed in a controlled environment to assess its viability. We use a growth chamber that stimulates optional conditions for germination, taking into account factors like temperature and light requirement. By understanding the unique needs of each wildflower species, we can ensure that our seed will germinate successfully.

WHY IS TESTING IMPORTANT

Purity and germination testing are essential for several reasons:

As a Garden Designer or Landscaper, you have a unique opportunity to be a part of the solution by restoring biodiversity – Here’s how.

THE HABITAT AND NATURE CRISIS: RESTORING HABITAT LOSS AND WILDLIFE IN GARDEN DESIGN

The UK is facing a habitat and nature crisis. As wildlife populations plummet and natural habitats are lost, the abundance of wildlife has fallen by nearly a third, with more than half of plant species vanishing from their natural habitats. This decline poses a significant threat to the ecological balance and health of our environments.

As a Garden Designer or Landscaper, you have a unique opportunity to be a part of the solution by restoring biodiversity. By incorporating wildlife friendly elements into your designs, you can create beautiful, sustainable spaces that support local ecosystems.

In this blog, we’ll explore the causes of the habitat and nature crisis and discuss practical steps you can take to make a positive impact and reverse this decline in biodiversity.

The Causes of the Nature Crisis

Biodiversity provides us with countless benefits, including food, clean air and water. However, unfortunately biodiversity has been declining at an alarming rate. This nature crisis is driven by several key causes including:

As the leaves start to fall and your meadow starts to brown, it’s time to give your meadow a little TLC! Wildflower meadows, whilst low maintenance, require some attention each Autumn. The annual Autumn maintenance cut is due between mid-September and early

This essential cut ensures your meadows health and allows time for it to recover before the winter frosts set in.  As part of our extensive Research and Development undertaking, Wildflower Turf Ltd have focused on different cutting and removal regimes for wildflower meadows to better understand the impact on growth, health and species diversity. In this blog, we’ll share our best practices for maintaining your meadow and ensuring its health and longevity!

Whether or not you have done a Chelsea Chop or other maintenance cuts earlier in the year, the Autumn maintenance cut is always essential. Not only does the cut tidy up the area for the Winter, but it also prevents the decaying summer growth from smothering emerging plants and adding fertility back into the soil.

So here’s how it’s done!

1. First cut back your meadow using a hedge trimmer, strimmer or a mower. Cut down the whole area to 2-5cm.

2. Clear all of the cuttings for better sunlight…

Meadows are a type of grassland habitat, so by definition they should contain a good proportion of grasses. Grasses are fundamental to the health of these habitats. Grasses play a vital role in offering structural support, texture, and ecological balance. They also support biodiversity, providing food and habitats for numerous species, including birds, insects and mammals. Grasses however in the right environment will naturally colonise and can overpower slower growing wildflowers.

If grasses become too dominant they will prevent the wildflowers from growing, reducing the diverse ranges of plant life, which is vital for a meadow’s overall health.

2024 truly has been the year of the grasses, presenting many with an unprecedented challenge: grass dominance. So, why has this surge occurred, and what steps can we take to manage it effectively?

Why Are Grasses So Prominent This Year?

In 2023/2024, we have seen cooler temperatures combined with excess rainfall which has created the perfect storm for grass growth. Stafford Council have reportedly experienced “the wettest Winter since 1835”! The excessive rainfall in the past year has created the optimal growing conditions to support the rapid growth and spread of grasses, not only in wildflower areas but habitats across the country.

As grasses…

At Wildflower Turf Ltd, we are passionate about bringing the beauty and ecological benefits of wildflower meadows to your spaces with our premium Mature Wildflower Turf®. 

Cultivated with care and expertise, our mature turf promises a vibrant and sustainable solution for a wide range of landscaping needs. Here are some of the unique advantages of choosing Mature Wildflower Turf® for your next project: 

Minimum 20 Weeks’ Growth Time at Our Farms 

Our Mature Wildflower Turf® is grown for a minimum of 20 weeks at our farms, ensuring that the turf you receive is robust, well-established, and ready to thrive in its new home. This extended growth period allows the plants to develop strong root systems and achieve optimal health, giving you a head start in creating a flourishing wildflower meadow. 

Reduced Need for Irrigation on Site 

One of the unique benefits of our Mature Wildflower Turf® is its reduced need for irrigation once installed. Thanks to the advanced root development fostered during its growth period, our turf is naturally more drought resistant. The advanced root network means that the turf can easily burrow down into the soil beneath, and find their…

The Wildflower Turf Ltd team celebrate winning Rural Business of the Year at the INSPIRE Business Awards. Photo: Destination Basingstoke/Sarah Gaunt Photography. 

Hampshire-based Wildflower Turf Ltd has been named Rural Business of the Year at the prestigious INSPIRE Business Awards.

The dedicated wildflower meadow specialists celebrated winning the coveted award for ‘making an impact in the rural economy of Basingstoke and Deane’ at the event on Thursday 11 July.

The delighted team were presented with the Rural Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Worting House, for their eco-friendly solutions for the UK’s wildflower market.

The INSPIRE Awards judges found Wildflower Turf Ltd “were professional, demonstrated excellent customer service, were forward thinking with a commitment to Research and Development and provided a training facility for employees and partner companies.”

James Hewetson-Brown, Managing Director of Wildflower Turf Ltd, said: “We are thrilled to be named ‘Rural Business of the Year’ at the INSPIRE Awards. The…

Wildflower Turf Ltd. has launched Enhance Wildflower Biodiversity, an innovative range of products designed to enhance existing wildflower spaces and meet the growing demands for biodiversity preservation.

Enhance Wildflower Biodiversity provides tailored solutions to address the specific challenges faced by landscape architects, developers and landscape contractors, offering a cost-effective and efficient approach to acquiring Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Units.

Made with premium seeds, the product range utilises a scientifically designed substrate containing only natural ingredients. This innovative substrate optimises seed growth, achieving up to 93% germination rates. It also significantly reduces the establishment time to fully flowering species, from 3-5 years for traditional oversowing of seed to a mere 3-18 months (depending on time of install). Each product in the range is meticulously crafted with UK native seeds; grown, harvested and cold stored onsite, ensuring the highest standards of quality and viability.

James Hewetson-Brown, Managing Director of Wildflower Turf Ltd, said: “The Enhance Wildflower Biodiversity range is a game-changer for biodiversity enhancement projects.

“Our goal is to provide a streamlined, effective, and scientifically backed solution that supports our clients in their commitment to improving biodiversity.

“By focusing on enhancing existing grassland spaces, we offer an approach that is both time-efficient and cost-effective, ultimately…

We were delighted to see our Overton headquarters featured on BBC1’s prime-time Escape to the Country when Hawk Conservancy Trust biologist, Dr Matt Stevens, explained the importance of native long grasses in providing the right habitat for small mammals which are a food source for birds of prey.

The show’s presenter Sonali Shah interviewed Matt, who manages the Hawk Conservancy Turst’s Raptor Nest Box Project which includes the monitoring of barn owls living in one of our large outbuildings.

Two baby owlets have been hatched in the nesting box which Matt installed for breeding barn owls more than 10 years ago. As he weighed and ringed (tagged) the young birds, Matt explained how patches of rough grassland harbour small mammals such as voles, which form the most important prey for barn owls.

“If the right habitat is available for the small mammals that barn owls feed on, there is a much better chance of the owls nesting successfully and the species will thrive”. The owner of Wildflower Turf is a big supporter of the Hawk Conservancy Trust’s work and this programme is making a huge impact to conserve endangered bird species in the Hampshire countryside

“At home, you can do your bit to…

Garden design and landscaping experts Graduate Gardeners celebrated 50 years’ success with a triple win at RHS Malvern Spring Festival. 

Designer Mark Draper’s golden anniversary showpiece, The Cotswold Garden scooped the board – winning a Gold Medal, Best in Show and Best Construction awards. 

Our Wildflower Turf® Landscape-34 mix was used to stunning effect to create an idyllic Cotswold meadow, complete with bridge and stream, overlooking the impressive garden designed for family and friends to relax in and enjoy. 

Inspired by beautiful Cotswold gardens and landscapes, The Cotswold Garden featured a seamless flow of three distinct areas – from the functional dining space, into the serene lounge area and over a fence, into the wildflower meadow. It was built in a space measuring 17m x 7m, with the majestic Malvern Hills in the background. 

Our Landscape-34 wildflower mix is sown with a mixture of thirty-four wildflower varieties, with the Ragged Robin in full bloom at the show, and Ox Eye Daisies and Campion breaking open. From the garden’s ornate rusted gate, a mown path led to…