Pastures New

There is nothing quite like a meadow in full swing - beautful, evocative and humming with life. Applied to a garden setting though they can be a hard act to follow, particularly in their purist form, and even if you have the space. While you don't necessarily have to have a large garden to enjoy the effect, the problem is often more one of management and soil fertility. Unless soil is of relatively poor fertility wildflowers can never compete with grass. Management techniques though can tip the balance in the favour of flowers, for instance always collecting grass cuttings (thereby removing nutrients year on year), sowing yellow rattle (a parasitic plant that reduces the vigour of grass) and concentrating on the more energtic wildflowers (such as oxeye daisies).

However if that all sounds like a lot of work (and it can be!) there is another way. For 'meadow' think 'rough grass'. Even in small gardens sections of lawn can be left to grow, and strimmed, ideally, three times a year to keep from getting messy. Visually, the resulting contrast in texture with the mown lawn will add interest and a relaxed feel to the garden, and daffodils and small trees, such as cherries, can be added for an extra dimension. Areas of rough grass will also attract wildlife, and make mowing more fun!

The idea of rough grass doesn't appeal to everyone, and is often perceived to be 'messy'. However it really can add an extra layer to your garden, so why not give it a go and if you still don't like it, just mow.