The Wildflower meadow

Even though it didn't get cut last year because of the weather, it is progressing this year with the perennials gradually appearing
Apparently the poppies, cornflowers and corn marigolds may be rather fewer or even non existant this year, as they are annuals which need disturbed soil to re seed themselves
Nevertheless all looks good to me. The present incumbents are meadow buttercups, ragged robin, oxeye daisy, cuckoo flower and red campion
There are also some lovely grasses
Very pleasing to the eye .....

 

Excellent. Did you do it for the wildlife or just for aesthetic value? How big is it? Did you get any bother with wild rabbits or deer grazing it?

 

A bit of both
No wild deer here in Northern Ireland other than in the nearby estates, so no difficulties there
This meadow (about an acre) is the one where I discovered the hare's nest and 5 young hares last year (you can see the video on my website)
All of my property is geared towards wildlife, and the meadow is just beside the Japanese Garden and the large pond there which is itself fabulous for wildlife

 

I'm glad it was a success for you. I had planned to do something similar with a chunk of my 3 acres (probably about half an acre of it), but was put off before I even started when wild rabbits and deer decimated my new soft fruits and herb patch within days of planting.

How long as your one been established? Did you have to do anything to control the rabbit population there or did they just leave it be? Did you have any disasters along the way?

 

I am working on a new web page or pages on the wildflower meadow which will show everything from concept to the present. You can see the earlier pics on my other posts under the wildlife forum below
I haven't been bothered by rabbits for about 30 years or so (says he, crossing fingers avidly )

 

Excellent. I've just had a quick look at your website. I'll have a better look later. One thing is immediately obvious though, you've done a cracking job, it must have took unimaginable effort and dedication.

On the rabbit front, I reckon in my case I'm fighting a loosing battle. Even if I managed to get rid of them off my land, being surrounded on three sides by two large farms, and fronted by a nice unmanaged corridor of bracken, gorse and grass which is outside my boundary, I reckon any rabbits I move on from my patch will just be quickly replaced by ones coming in from elsewhere. I guess I'll just have to fence a chunk of it off if I'm going to create the wildflower meadow.

 

Hi Whis4ey,
The wildflower meadow looks lovely and you have a good assortment of wildflowers there!

The videos were amazing, I love how you have set them to music. Some great wildlife there but I felt a bit sorry for the poor frog. That's nature though.

 

Looks excellent, a very satisfying progresion from the ploughed field last spring!