Native Origin Irish Wildflower Seed Mixtures: Ecotype Range 

Product Code:  EC09 
Product Name: Species Rich Amenity Grassland (After the Heritage Council list of Grassland Classification) 
This is a very specific mixture of the most beautiful flora ideally suited to the improved soils found in parklands and rolling countryside.
This mixture has been the constant favourite of County Councils, park managers and nature conservationists.
It can be sown with our without grass, and can be managed in many different ways, left tall, cut short or given mixed and varied management.

While you get typical masses of colour in the early years, don't expect huge blocks of colour to persist, instead the species diversity offers a long season range of species that come and go throughout summer. As each species comes into its own, the meadow attains a fabulous patchwork of alternating species all competing for space. Maintaining yellow rattle in the flora is essential for this meadow. 
For best impact, pathways are essential to allow the public access to examine this mixture at close range.

This mixture attracts butterflies, bees and birds as well as a host of insects.
With some maintenance even native Orchids may flourish on suitable sites.

Species List:  EC09 

Birdsfoot Trefoil
Black Meddick
Cowslip
Devil's Bit Scabious
Eyebright
Field Scabious
Greater Trefoil
Kidney Vetch
Lady's Bedstraw
Lesser Knapweed
Marjoram
Meadow Buttercup
Mullein
Ox-eye Daisy
Ragged Robin
Red Campion
Red Clover
Ribwort Plantain
Rough Hawksbit
Salad Burnet
Selfheal
St Johnswort
Wild Angelica 
Wild Carrot
Yarrow
Yellow Agrimony 
Yellow Rattle 
Orchid seed from wild meadow harvests also included
Annuals included:
Corn Marigold
Corn Poppy
Corncockle
Cornflower
Scentless Mayweed

Your purchase contributes to DBN's work of creating crops of Conservation Grade - Native Origin Wildflora. You help us to inform and pay land-owners to manage native species and to assist DBN in handing on our heritage for another generation.
By growing (some will be difficult) these and all other species, you directly help to conserve national and global Biodiversity and protect wildlife. You should also consider yourself another Irish wildflower grower.

Product Warning: While this Ecotype mixture contains the seed of edible and herbal species, DBN recommend that this mixture is not for human or animal consumption as it contains species such as Corncockle which is toxic if ingested. Wild Parsnip can irritate the skin. (

Seed Mixture Specifications: Total number of seeds per gram: 1900
Native Irish Origin, Wildflower Seed Mixture. EC09
Suitable for soil type: Amenity Grassland, Parks, Loam, light Clay, Damp sand, moderate clays or Improved soils.
Moisture Level: Very Dry, Dry, Normal, Occasionally Moist, but not Flooded Wet
pH range: Best between 5. >7.9
Aspect: Sunny, rare or occasional shade and not deeply or regularly shaded.
Morphology:

Life Cycle: Annual / Biennial / Perennial. 
Height Range: <30cm to >150cm 
Flowering Period:  March to September, but may falter in very dry summers, however species will recover.
Fertility Range: Will grow slowly in very poor soil, if very infertile apply fertiliser (see below). 
Wintergreen: Moderate, if required sow with grasses

Design Notes: EC09 is one of my favourite seed mixtures, it flowers over a long time, is very colourful rich in the Scabious Family and attracts butterflies.  

Sowing Specification: As Normal, roll or rake into surface to keep out of reach from birds. Sow this mixture in Autumn and early Spring so the seed can germinate before the soil dries out. 

Soil Preparation: To establish, especially since it will be sown on low nutrient soils, fertiliser or weed free organic matter may be required to aid germination. 
Optimum Sowing Time: Late spring, early autumn, when the soil is damp.

Sowing Conditions: Normal. protect from rabbit as germination emerges in 6th to 10 week after sowing
Sowing Method: By hand is recommended, if using seed spreaders be careful to insure the small varieties of seed do not drop to the bottom of the seed spreader and get sown all in the one place. Can be Hydrasown. 
Fertiliser: No.

Seed Sowing Rates: 1.5 grams per metre.
Normal sowing rate 'without added grass seed':1.5 grams per metre.
High sowing rate 'without added grass seed': Add 1 to 3 grams per metre.

Grass seed or nurse crop requirement:

Nurse Crop: No nurse crop is required. 
Grass Seed Requirement: Normal Parkland Grasses, add fescues and Bents, keep Perennial ryegrass rates very low.
Sow with or without grasses: Either 
Sowing rate with grasses: 1.5 normal rate , 2 to 4, 4 to 6 grams per metre. 50% Flora / 50% grass seed, or up to 80% grass at 6 to 7 grams per metre where erosion may occur.

If sown without grasses: This mixture will not require a nurse crop.

Seed Specification:  
In normal conditions (mainly in early Autumn and Spring) this mix should germinate 6 to 10 weeks after sowing, from then on provided the sward is kept open and a 'Thatch' is not allowed develop, species will continue to germinate and emerge, through to the third year.
Up to 60% of all seed should germinate in the first year.
Up to 50% of all species should germinate in 12 months. 
Up to 90% of all species should have flowered by the fourth year after sowing.

Performance: Attracts many butterfly species.
If this mixture is sow with annuals, or contains annuals, they will flower profusely in the first year, provided they are sown before June. They require one cut when finished flowering. In the second year the biennials will also be very colourful. Cut once in late August.
In the third year this meadow mixture will seem to have less flora than the first and second year. Why? 
The perennial species are still young, many will only have germinated in the second season, so flowers will be sparse. However, there should be identifiable foliage and some flowers. If not contact us. 
In the second and third the native grasses in your soil will have grown and will be emerging so strongly that the meadow will require two cuts, one in Spring and the Second in July or August, the meadow can again be cut in September if the grasses are still growing strong. 

When should this meadow be established and require one cut.
In the fourth year the perennials in the mixture should be flowering on many stems and starting to clump and spread, again if the grass is still vigorous cut in spring and in August of the fourth year. However if the perennials are growing strong there will be no need to cut until July, August or September depending on the fertility and wetness of the soil and the species which have grown.

A wildflower meadow should last many years, provided the species established, weeds were controlled and the meadow was cut and the cut material removed and occasional 'Gaps' are created. If not contact DBN.

Persistence if unmanaged: Normal
Tolerance of Cutting: High
General Cutting Time: Mid to end of Summer. 
Specific Cutting Time: Wait 3 weeks until after the last flush of flowers fade away, after seeds set.

Management: Control grasses and weeds until well established.

Most species in this mixture are 'Browse' resistant. 

A General Description of this product and the 'Ecotype' Range: 
Ecotype seed mixtures are designed to imitate natural ecologies found in specific situations. 

This range of seed mixture is ideal for those concerned with encouraging wildlife and local biodiversity as the plants will attract species suited to the ecology. 
If this mixtures is suitable for your situation, it offers good value, contains some of the most exacting and unusual species and if given time, develop into a diverse flora that will persist if properly maintained.