The Wildflower Meadow

The recently established wildflower meadow lies at the bottom of the garden. Much of the diversity of wild flowers has been lost in grassland in Northamptonshire due to modern farming methods. The meadow was planted at Coton to provide added colour and conservation interest to the garden. It has been used this year by the BBC to film one of their new 'channel identity' clips.

The first flush of colour in early June comes from flowers such as Ox-Eye Daisies, Meadow Crane's Bill, Ragged Robin, Common Vetch and Yellow Rattle. This is followed in July by Knapweed, Field Scabious, Birds-foot Trefoil, Wild Carrot, Yarrow and Lady's Bedstraw. The Meadow is cut for hay in late July and grazed by sheep through the autumn.

It has established itself with remarkable speed, and with the aid of a few new species planted as plugs grown in the nursery, it becomes more diverse each year. Many butterflies, moths and other insects such as those pictured below have benefited from the project. There is a meandering path through the meadow, enabling visitors to walk amongst the flowers.