An Unexpected Spectacle
It was a puzzle in the spring but a glorious bed of colours by the summer. It was indeed a puzzle why an extensive area of managed grass in the suburbs of Troon in Ayrshire had been given a makeover – as if the turf had been cut and dissected. Was this to rejuvenate the grass itself? Was this the site of some new installation – possibly a skateboard feature? In fact the local council had been preparing a meadow of wild flowers. This would on the one hand reduce significantly the area of grass to be managed and produce as a bonus a sea of lasting colour through the summer to enhance the neighbourhood. There would also be gains in enhancement of biodiversity for bees and insects generally. Several areas would in fact be established and begin to charm passers-by with the a riot of colour from June onwards The dominant flowers are probably cornflower, corn marigold, field poppy, ox-eye daisy and corn cockle – to give them their common names.
Later in the summer notices appeared to explain the appearance of the new features. True to script, during September the wildflower meadows were cut down almost to ground level – creating the expectation of more flowers in the coming season, though the balance of plants may shift more to perennial from annual – depending on the level of any annual seeds persisting till the spring. The high rainfall, however, has probably been a factor in the obvious success of such planting. There is a temptation to ‘meadowfy’ some of our front lawn – which is made all the easier by the myriad of companies now offering wildflower meadow seeds and associated advice relating to seed sowing and seasonal management.
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