E
M
PL
SA
PART 1
PART 3
Foreword
Introduction
Case Studies
PART 2
Practicalities
SECTION 2: Creative design 129
5 University campus 130
6 Meadow on a sloping site 134
7 From rose garden to meadow 136
8 Deck with meadow 140
SECTION 3: Wildflowers for wildlife 142
9 Wildlife meadow 143
10 School meadow 148
11 Meadow for bees 150
SA
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Choosing the right method 29
Planning a wildflower area 36
Design and preparation 46
Installation techniques 60
Maintaining a meadow 84
Enhancing a meadow 93
Solving problems 104
SECTION 4: Wildflower roofs 154
SECTION 7: Enhanced meadows 205
12 Pitched roof 155
13 Flat roof 158
14 Visitor centre roof 162
15 Stable roof 166
25 From pastureland to wildflowers 206
26 Designer garden meadow 210
27 Multi-habitat meadow 214
28 Modern meadow 218
SECTION 5: Challenging sites 172
SECTION 8: Iconic meadows 222
16 Meadow by the sea 173
17 Roadside verge 178
18 Wildflower bank 180
19 Shady meadow 182
20 High-profile, public site 184
29 A meadow restored 223
30 Olympic meadow 230
31 Roadside wildflowers 236
32 Chelsea Flower Show meadow 240
33 Lakeside meadow 244
SECTION 6: Community projects 190
Conclusion 248
Resources 250
Index 252
Acknowledgements 256
About the Author 256
PL
Why plant a meadow? 9
The history of wildflower meadows 15
SECTION 1: Starting from scratch 115
1 Front Garden 116
2 New-build home 118
3 From lawn to meadow 122
4 Urban regeneration 126
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Contents
21 Waterfront meadow 191
22 Eye-catching park and roundabout 194
23 Regenerating a city site 198
24 Woodland meadow 202
SA
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PL
If you’re anything like me you will by now have a collection of
wildflower seed to rival the Millennium Seed Bank. Handed out at
flower shows, stuck to magazine covers, given away with a jar of
honey, wildflowers are on our minds as we hear about the lack of food
for honeybees and other pollinators.
But achieving a wildflower meadow that fulfils your expectations
in terms of colour and longevity, returns reliably year after year and
brims with wildlife is no slam dunk. A big shout out therefore for
James Hewetson-Brown and this book, which brings a refreshingly
pragmatic note to the wildflower meadow debate. His state-of-theart techniques including his much celebrated wildflower turf (star of
Chelsea Flower Show and the London Olympics) are practical, reliable
and show you how to make a meadow you can enjoy the year you plant
it rather than in 5 years time.
Some of this is about being clear about what a meadow is and what
is reasonable to expect from it through the seasons and year after
year – you can read more about that in the following pages. But more
importantly this book explains how a lot of the unpredictability of
meadow-making can be overcome by choosing the right application
method – whether that’s roll-out turf, seed or ‘naturalizing’ – and
implementing an appropriate maintenance regime, particularly when
it comes to cutting.
But who has space for a wildflower meadow? I’m always surprised
to see statistics that show how, when put together, even small meadow
areas in back gardens make a significant contribution to replacing the
wildflowers we’ve lost due to intensive farming after the Second World
War. These small plots in gardens, parks, suburbs, cities and main roads
provide ‘wildlife corridors’ that allow species to travel and become
healthier through access to a wider gene pool. These habitats are not
just for insects either but provide nesting places for small mammals
and prey for animals further up the food chain.
Meadows are also good for people. The philosophy of this book is
that meadows should be enjoyable to make and bring pleasure year
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Foreword
6  HOW TO MAKE A WILDFLOWER MEADOW
after year. At least one of the meadow makers featured in the book
describes his meadow as ‘a way of life’. Meadows are for humans as
well as wildlife and walking through waist-high flowers and grasses
brings a sense of well-being and close contact with nature that is hard
to beat.
Alys Fowler
INTRODUCTION 
7
Alys specified wildflower turf
for the Peninsula Garden in
south-east London to create this
biodiverse environment that is
good for pollinators and people.
Below left (centre): Lateflowering plants such
as this teasel provide
important food sources
for the bee population.
PL
Below: A small
tortoiseshell butterfly
using the common
knapweed as a rich
source of nectar.
E
Left: Deer will graze and
use a meadow as cover.
Below left (bottom):
Wildflowers are magnets
for many pollinating
insects including this
hover fly.
SA
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Above left: Newts
found colonizing a
new urban meadow.
24  HOW TO MAKE A WILDFLOWER MEADOW
Above: Barn owls
scour meadows
for prey.
Left: Peregrine
falcon looking
for prey within a
wildflower meadow.
INTRODUCTION 
25
You will have discovered the pros and cons of the various ways to
establish a wildflower meadow. This chapter explains how to be
successful with your chosen method.
Creating a meadow from seed
Timing
Time is of the essence when seeding a meadow and it is often
overlooked. Ground preparation will always take longer than imagined
and so it is important to start planning your meadow early. You have
two ideal windows of opportunity when seeding a meadow: early
spring and late summer/early autumn. Sowing too early or too late will
reduce the amount of daylight available to the germinating seed and
will also have a bearing on the warmth and moisture levels of the soil.
SA
M
PL
Starting your meadow from seed can be a very rewarding task, but
it does require a fair amount of knowledge and will certainly be a
more time-consuming project – if you are hoping for a perennial
meadow, expect to be working on your project intermittently for 3–5
years before you can enjoy the finished article. For all good meadow
establishment, site preparation and getting quick and robust plant
growth are essential. These two steps will have the biggest influence
on success.
When establishing a meadow by seed, you will need to create an
appropriate seedbed that has been rotovated to a fine and even tilth.
In order to achieve this, the soil should be completely clear of existing
vegetation, including roots. Some species of wildflower require surface
sowing, but to protect the various types of species in the seed mix
and give them the best chance of germinating, lightly raking the soil
after sowing will help to ensure good seed-to-soil contact which will
improve overall germination. The soil should then be lightly rolled to
help lock in any moisture and firm the area against wind erosion.
Of course, the ideal preparation for the sown seed is also ideal for
any weed seeds that are left in the soil and these will germinate quickly
too. They are generally aggressive and are likely to out-compete the
wildflowers. It is worth repeating: take every opportunity to clean the
site before sowing and make sure that you sow at a time when the
wildflowers can establish quickly, so avoid sowing too early or too late
in the season.
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Installation
techniques
60  HOW TO MAKE A WILDFLOWER MEADOW
Top tips for seeding
• Store the seed in a cool, dry,
during transport. Make sure the
• A ridge roller can help to stabilize
dark spot before use to keep
seed is well mixed before sowing
the soil, offering protection from
germination rates at their best.
– don’t just rely on the standard of
wind and heavy rain.
• Thorough weed control is
the mix in the bag.
• If you are sowing on a slope be
important. If using chemical
• A technique to ensure accurate
aware of soil migration – seeds can
control methods, wait for 4–6
sowing rates is to section the area
wash to the bottom, leaving bare
weeks after the treatment for any
into quadrants and divide the seed
patches at the top.
second flush of weeds. Then you
to suit. Remember, measure twice,
• As the seedlings develop, you are
can do a final clearance of any new
sow once. Keep some in reserve as
provided with the best opportunity
weed seeds that have germinated
insurance. Once the seed is sown
for weeding out anything that you
before you sow the seed.
you will not be able to collect it up,
don’t want. Small weeds are much
• Once the site is weed-free, create
so if you get it wrong make sure it
easier to deal with but can be hard
a fine tilth.
is wrong by having seed left over
to recognize.
• If you are using grass within your
rather than running out!
• No fertilizer is required at any
mix, keep it to a minimum (at
• Ensure good soil-to-seed contact.
stage of ground preparation or
most 25 per cent) and do not use
Seeds like to be shallow-sown but
sowing wildflowers.
known aggressive grasses such as
are then prone to drying out. Use
a rake or brush to scuff the seeds
• As seedlings emerge, help them
Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus) and
cocksfoot (Dactylis).
into the surface. Lightly roll the
• Some seeds may settle out
area after sowing.
PRACTICALITIES 
61
to become well established as
quickly as possible by occasional
watering if required.
Laying turf on a slope
correct
wrong
SA
Below: Do not overlap the turf at the
joints, nor create tension that causes
joints to pull apart or shrink.
Turf can be laid onto slopes with angles of up to 70 degrees. It can
prove a little difficult to prepare the soil on a steep slope, particularly
with inclement weather as heavy rain can wash soil to the base of the
slope, but once laid, turf will be beneficial for soil stabilization.
Lay the turf from the top down, pegging in the top two corners of
each turf, usually with wooden pegs that will degrade over time. You
can use metal pegs but you will need to take these out once the turf
has rooted to avoid later damage to cutting machines.
M
Above: When laying the turf, take
care to ensure that all joints are
butted up correctly.
90°
80°
70°
60°
50°
40°
PL
The preparation required for turfing a meadow is similar to seeding
but there isn’t the need to be quite as thorough. The weed control can
be done in one go as the turf is instantly competitive once laid. While
rotovating is required, the surface doesn’t need to be completely level
as the thickness of the turf helps to even things out. However, for
successful establishment the turf requires soil-to-root contact and so
an adequate tilth is still necessary. Having said that, the roots of the
turf are amazingly robust and keen to establish themselves.
Wildflower turf is relatively light in comparison to traditional lawn
turf, owing to the soil-less growing methods. When laying the turf, the
pattern illustrated below is advised for optimum speed and accuracy,
but this isn’t essential and the turf will quickly root in when laid. Any
offcuts will establish if placed on soil, so there should be very little
wastage.
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Creating a meadow with turf
64  HOW TO MAKE A WILDFLOWER MEADOW
30°
grade
20°
10°
0°
1000% 500% 300% 200% 150% (10 in 1)
(5 in 1) (3 in 1) (2 in 1) (3 in 2) 100%
(1 in 1) = 45°
75% (3 in 4) = 36.87°
50% 40% (1 in 2) = 26.57°
(2 in 5) = 21.80°
30% (3 in 10) = 16.70°
20% (1 in 5) = 11.31°
10% (1 in 10) = 5.71°
0% =
=
=
=
=
84.29°
78.69°
71.57°
63.43°
56.31°
This chart shows the
various ways in which a
slope can be described,
either as a percentage,
an angle in degrees or as
vertical change compared
to horizontal change. This
may help you understand
how a slope has been
described to you on
landscape drawings.
= 0°
angle
Top tips for turf laying
• If you are using glyphosate to
finish is not needed!
This area can be mulched to retain
prepare your designated area, give
• It is not essential to work off
moisture for the tree and keep
it enough time to work – normally
planks unless the soil is really soft
weeds from establishing.
10–14 days.
and you find yourself sinking into
• Ensure good root-to-soil contact
• Glyphosate must be applied to a
it.
when laying; a good watering will
dry leaf on a dry day and 24 hours
• A light roller can be applied
help to achieve this.
without rain is required after
if the turf has gone down onto
• There is no requirement for
spraying.
particularly uneven ground
fertilizer.
• To improve the speed of
but is not necessary in normal
• Even tiny pieces of turf will grow
establishment, water the prepared
conditions.
well, so there should be very little
soil to saturation point 48 hours
• If you are laying turf around the
wastage.
before laying the turf.
base of a tree, set it back, so that
• Ensure the soil is not waterlogged
• The laying of the turf should be
the turf is not competing with the
or compacted prior to laying the
reasonably quick – a bowling green
tree for nutrients and moisture.
turf.
PRACTICALITIES 
65
1
2
Dig or rotovate to a depth of 5–15 cm (2–6 in),
depending on the level of soil compaction. The
intention is to loosen and aerate the soil to allow easy
establishment of plant roots.
5
Each turf must butt up to the next without overlapping
or leaving gaps. This helps to prevent weeds growing up
from beneath the turf.
6
7
8
Use a half moon to edge and cut around awkward
shapes. A serrated knife can be useful for detailed cuts.
Any small off-cuts can be used by patching together.
3
SA
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Start by cleaning the area using glyphosate. Apply to
a dry leaf on a still day when rain isn’t forecast for 24
hours.
PL
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How to lay wildflower turf
Rake off clods, root material and large stones to leave a
level and reasonably fine tilth. Stack the turf near where
you are working before laying it.
4
Roll out your turf, pressing it down to ensure good
root-to-soil contact. Try to finish laying within 24 hours
of delivery.
66  HOW TO MAKE A WILDFLOWER MEADOW
Immediately after laying the turf, water it thoroughly.
Check that the soil underneath the turf is damp to be
sure you have given it adequate water.
PRACTICALITIES 
Within a few days, pull up a corner of the turf. You
should see that the roots have started to establish and
knit into the soil.
67
CASE STUDY 8
Deck with meadow
LOCATION Inner-city courtyard garden
JAMES SAYS . . .
biodiverse area.
This is an ideal approach for someone who wants
INSTALLATION METHOD Native perennial wildflower turf.
to enjoy their garden but does not have the time
SPECIFIC CHALLENGES Choosing the right materials for
to maintain it. The meadow becomes an integral
the build to enhance the quality of the wildflowers.
AREA 6 sq m (7 sq yd).
part of a small garden and is likely to provide
PL
PURPOSE To add biodiversity to an otherwise non-
E
A small backyard garden combining wildflowers, decking and a hammock
a great deal of interest. Should the owner be
inspired to take things further, there would be
opportunities for enhancement with plugging and
bulbs.
Installation
It is amazing to see how layering a design of wood
and wildflowers has created a garden that looks
more spacious than it really is. While in most cases
the hard landscaping would make for an anti-wildlife
environment, the wildflowers will encourage pollinators
into the garden.
SA
The materials chosen are of great importance in this
design. The use of natural wood for the walls and
decking means there is more heat absorption available
compared to that allowed by stone or brick, so this
small space is protected from too much transpiration
and evaporation. Small beds were defined around the
deck and a wooden bench and hammock were added to
create a relaxing, immersive environment.
Success of the wildflower meadow
M
For city-dwellers who work full time and have only a
small back-yard space, the idea of creating a green
oasis is appealing but rarely achieved. Lack of time for
maintenance and a desire for seating space outside
leads to many a back yard being concreted over
with the addition of patio furniture and a few pots.
Garden designer Helen Elks Smith wanted to inspire
the city-dweller with this particular show garden to
demonstrate how a structured space can still provide
a green corridor without requiring a great deal of
maintenance.
140  HOW TO MAKE A WILDFLOWER MEADOW
Opposite: Immersive seating
is an integral element when
using wildflowers in a
structured garden design.
Above: Layering with hard
and soft landscaping gives
the impression of space.
Right: The use of wood aids
heat absorption and reduces
water loss from an inner-city
garden.
CASE STUDY 8: DECK WITH MEADOW 
141