Wildflower Seeds

Plant a wildflower seeds in the garden for the perfect complement to your roses! They can add colour and height interest into your garden while your rose is not in full bloom, and they attract garden wildlife that can support the health of your roses.

With a range of wildflower blends available, you can find the right fit for your garden. Companion planting for roses has never been easier!

Why plant wildflowers?

There are so many reasons to choose wildflowers for your outdoor space, both for yourself and for the wider environment!

Wildlife & Biodiversity

A wildflower garden supports the local wildlife continuously throughout the year. Different species bloom at different times, ensuring a consistent food supply of nectar and pollen; vital for bees as well as other species. In the autumn and winter, the plants provide hibernating spots for insects, and the seeds can provide a food source for birds and small mammals. The wildflowers attract small critters, which in turn provide food sources for larger garden species like hedgehogs and bats; increasing the biodiversity in your garden!

Improves soil health

Not just beautiful above the surface, wildflowers have benefits under the ground too! With their deep roots, they help to prevent soil erosion, improve soil structure, and in time can improve the biodiversity of the soil. This increases the overall quality of the soil, which creates a great environment for all your plants to grow. Wildflowers roots also retain a lot of water, which can help to both prevent flooding and mitigate the effects of drought.

Easy to grow

Minimal maintenance is needed, and you should see improvements year-on-year as the varieties start to establish themselves.

Improves wellbeing

There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a garden in full bloom, teeming with wildlife! Spending time in nature, both nurturing your garden and enjoying the beauty, has been proven to reduce stress and have positive effects on mental health.

A great companion for roses

Wildflowers tend to have a longer range of flowering seasons than roses, which means they can add colour and beauty to your garden when your rose is not fully blooming. The variety of colours and heights available provide a lot of visual interest, which is key to creating a beautiful garden! Wildflowers can also attract the natural predators of aphids and other critters that may harm your roses, thus providing natural protection.

What is a seedball?

A seedball contains a blend of native wildflower seeds, protected in a ball of clay, chilli powder and peat-free compost. They are a wonderful alternative to traditional seeds, that are easier to use and grow; thus perfect for novices and experienced gardeners alike. The seeds have more protection from predators, giving your wildflower garden meadow the best chance to establish and thrive!

Do Seedballs work?

Yes! Each seedball contains approx 30 seeds, and are ideal for creating wildflower beds or planters. The outer clay protects the seedball from being eaten by birds and insects, while the chilli powder deters slugs and snails from eating the young shoots. The peat-free compost provides nutrients as the seeds start to germinate, and slowly the materials in the ball will be naturally disperse, leaving a patch of young plants.

How to plant Seedballs?

Seedballs are incredibly easy to use – no digging required! Autumn or early spring are the ideal times to lay your wildflower garden. Simply scatter onto bare soil or compost, leaving at least 10cm between each ball. Keep well watered, and the seeds will soon start to germinate – it’s that easy! New shoots can be seen in 2-6 weeks, but each type of wildflower will take a different amount of time to come into flower.

Top Tips For Growing Your Wildflower Seedballs

• Autumn and early Spring are the best times of year for scattering your wildflower seedballs.
• Seedballs require water to start growing – if it’s been fairly dry you can give them a drenching every day to supplement rainfall.
• Many seeds need a spell of cold weather to trigger the germination process. If scattering in late Spring or Summer, store the seedballs in the fridge for a few weeks prior to scattering.
• Seedballs should be left intact, not broken up.
• Avoid touching seedballs once they have been watered, as this could cause damage to any new growth inside.
• Wildflower growth can be slow, so patience is key. Different varieties will grow and flower at different rates. As the wildflowers establish, you should see year-on-year improvement with minimal maintenance.
• Young wildflower growth can be easily mistaken for weeds, so be careful whilst weeding and ensure you are selective about what you remove!

Companion Planting For Roses

With their bright colours and varied flowering season, wildflowers make the perfect companions for planting alongside your roses! Attracting a wide range of wildlife, they can therefore provide natural protection against aphids and other pests. Some species of wildflowers can also protect against fungal infections like blackspot. This not only improves the health of your rose but also minimises any treatments you may need to give. Your roses will also be helped under the soil as wildflowers improve the soil health and water retention. And of course, they are beautiful to look at!

Wildflower Baskets

Wildflowers don’t just have to go in large beds and gardens, they’d also be great in pots and containers – perfect for balconies, window boxes and patios! Take a look at our range of Eco Garden Planters for a natural wicker basket that could become a wildlife haven!

Would you like help and advice about wildflower seeds? Contact us and a member of our knowledgeable team will be happy to assist.