Abbey Park's Wildflower Area has begun!
Some time ago, local resident Wendy King started looking into Abbey Park having a wild flower area. After consultations she was given the go ahead and is now co ordinating the volunteers. The plan is to have two separate areas (see map below) which will encourage insects as well as bringing further beauty to the park. Wendy King has been supported by Sue Andrew and Penny Gowland and the seeds were given to us by Rushcliffe Biodiversity team as part of this project.
Below are some of the seeds that will be planted
A great mix of grasses and mostly perennial wildflowers, many rich in both nectar and pollen and known to be especially attractive to honey bees. By growing these species you are helping to support these important pollinators. By planting seeds that encourage pollinators such as bees and other insects to your garden, you can gain a tiny gardening A-team to do your pest control and pollination, all with the added benefit of supporting British native wildlife by providing habits and food sources. All the wild flower seeds in this mix are Native to Britain
Birdsfoot Trefoil Lotus Corniculatus
Black Knapweed Centaurea Nigra
Common Evening Primrose Oenothera Biennis
Common Toadflax Linaria Vulgaris
Corn Chamomile Anthemsis Arvensis
Corn Poppy Papaver Rhoeas
Crested Dogstail (Grass) Cynosurus Cristatus
Dandelion Taraxacum Officinale
Greater Mullein Verbascum Thapsus
Hedge Woundwort Stachys Sylvatica
Highland Bent (Grass) Agrostis Castellana
Hounds Tongue Cynoglossum Officinale
Meadow Cranesbill Geranium Pratense
Meadow-Sweet Filipendula Ulmaria
Musk Mallow Malva Moschata
Oxeye Daisy Leucanthemum Vulgare
Purple Loosestrife Lythrum Salicaria
Red Clover Trifolium Pratense
Red Fescue (Grass) Festuca Rubra Ssp. Commutata 1
Rough Hawkbit Leontoden Hispidus
Sainfoin Onobrychis Viciifolia
Slender Red Fescue (Grass) Festuca Rubra Ssp. Pruinosa
Teasel Dipsacus Fullonum
Vipers Bugloss Echium Vulgare
Wild Carrot Daucus Carota
Wild Foxglove Digitalis Purpurea
Wild Marjoram Origanum Vulgare
Wild White Clover Trifolium Repens 1
Yarrow Achilla Millefolium
Catherine Brown along with several others started getting stuck in to digging the areas today. Shown here preparing area 2, she's done a fabulous job and even worked through some showers, finishing a patch approximately 4 meters square! Our thanks go to everyone involved in this wonderful work.
Abbey Park members are planting the seeds in readiness for planting out when the areas are cleared.
26th May update
Work started today on the upper patch of Wildflower meadow area with huge thanks to James Hounslow and the company he works for as they allowed him the use of a turf stripper!
The photos here show the exact area being worked upon and some of the rolls already created by John Bailey. I think you'll agree, they've done a fabulous job so far and we think it will be fabulous when completed ☺️
The picture below show some the larger area where the turf needs to be laid (upturned) to kill off the existing turf and make ready for the second, much larger wildlife area.
Autumn 2021 Update
The photograph above shows some of the planting done earlier this year.
The photo to the left gives an update to the wildflower planting areas.
From the left - this was partially planted this year. yellow dots indicated space for seeds. The extension. Tom Pettit (from the council) has agreed to leave and will make a curve around the lower trees so the plan is to seed from that to cover whole area.
The second area is near the play area - seed within area in and around the trees.They will be cutting an oval around the trees.
Area three was partially planted/seeded this year. The intention is to seed the whole of the previously implanted area and give light seeding around area that was planted.