Hello, petal: seven species to sow

Grasses

It may be counter-intuitive, but a true meadow is defined as grassland with perennial plants cut annually. Sow a small selection of non-aggressive grasses, such as crested dog’s tail, common bent grass, stalked meadow grass and sheep’s fescue, which won’t hinder perennial wildflowers

Yellow rattle (Rhinanthus minor)

Known as ‘the meadow maker’ or ‘Nature’s lawn mower’, its roots grow towards those of grasses and steal their water and nutrients, restricting their growth by up to 60% and ensuring they do not dominate, making room for flowers to grow. Pollinated by bees, the large seed pods rattle when they have ripened and dried, a cue for farmers to cut the hay

Devil’s-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis)

The sole food source for the endangered marsh fritillary butterfly

Lesser/common knapweed (Centaurea nigra)

A tall, purple-headed favourite of many bees, butterflies, beetles and birds

Ragged robin (Silene flos-cuculi)

Dedicated to St Barnabas, because haymaking traditionally takes place around his feast day on June 11, this pink, spindly flower loves wetter meadows

Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)

On the ‘vulnerable and near-threatened’ list, this sweet-smelling, daisy-like flower was once common in pastures and used to make tea for the treatment of colds

Bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)

This pretty yellow plant is streaked with the orange that gives it its other name, ‘eggs and bacon’. Beloved by the caterpillars of common blue, green hairstreak and dingy skipper butterflies