Native Origin Irish Wildflower Seed Mixtures: Ecotype Range 

Product Code:  EC12 
Product Name: Wild Flora for Earth Banks, Bunds and Ditches
 
EC12 is designed for raised earth banks and bunds. In some parts these features are called 'earth ditches' but the name is misleading. 
This floral mixture is designed to be sow on the bank as well as the verge (soil at ground level) and a scatter of seeds could be tossed into any 'grip or ditch' dug out for drainage. 
The soils 'thrown up' to form the earth bank are often mixed and from different depths, the chosen species are designed to cope with all sorts of conditions bar stiff impermeable subsoil. 

At first glance a few species may seem unsuitable, plants such as Meadowsweet, Hemp Agrimony and Wild Angelica colonise the lowest and wettest niche at the base of the bank, whilst others like Oxeye daisy exploit sunny dry or cool shaded parts. Mullein and Red Campion are added to provide extra colour.

Bluebell is added as often these banks remain uncut and get shaded.

Species List: Code EC12 Wild Flora for Earth Banks , Bunds and Ditches

*Denotes a species that is either of diminished national geno-type or specific to only a few sites, or who's habitat is increasingly threatened, or the species is uncommon, rare, becoming rare, is endangered, reintroduced or saved from extinction.
In all cases, 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.

Seed Mixture Specifications: 
Origin: Native Irish Origin, Wildflower Seed Mixture. EC11
Suitable for soil type: All types of soil, Clay, Loam, Sand, Light Soil and Heavy Soil 
Moisture Level: Dry, Normal, Moist, but not Flooded Wet
pH range: Best between 5.5 >7.9
Aspect: Sunny, Semi Shade and not deeply shaded.

Morphology:
Life Cycle: Annual / Biennial / Perennial. 
Height Range: <30cm to >180cm 
Flowering Period:  May to August.
Fertility Range: Will grow in very fertile soil to poor, if very infertile apply fertiliser (see below).
Wintergreen: Yes 
The main species which should dominate and persist in this mixture: Bluebell,  Field Scabious, Fleabane, Greater Trefoil, Hemp Agrimony, Lady's Bedstraw, Lesser Knapweed,  Meadowsweet, Ox-eye Daisy, Red Campion, Sorrel, St Johnswort. 
Annual Species:  Corn Marigold, Corn Poppy, Corncockle, Cornflower, Scented and Scentless Mayweed.
Biennial Species: Foxglove, Hedge Garlic Mustard, Mullein, Wild Angelica, Wild Carrot.
Rare, unusual, and feature species: Mugwort, Pokeweed,  White Bedstraw, Yellow Agrimony
Species which will grow if the conditions are ideal: Primrose, Wood Sage depending on soil and situation may require some shade.
Species which will be affected by management: Bluebell and Feverfew will not persist in grassy sward.
Additional species which could be added to this mixture as individual species of plants: Hedge Stichwort (occasionally in stock in our nursery) 

Design Notes: For large areas this mixture may be unsuitable, instead specify different mixtures for the top and bottom, and if the bank is orientated east-west, choose a mixture for sun and shade. 

Sowing Specification: As Normal, roll or rake into surface to keep out of reach from birds. Due to the nature of earth banks this mixture may be difficult to sow and maintain on steeply sided banks, if you have a problem deploying the seed to the sides of the bank, a mixture of powdered kelp seaweed and sand, compost or old manure can be 'wet-mixed' together to help stick the seeds to the bank. Better still would be to shape the bank to allow for easy sowing and maintenance.

Soil Preparation: If normal, create fine tilt on seed bed, if clay, ensure it is weed free, keep slopes gentle. If there is an abundance of subsoil, try to get ridges or shelves along the 'horizontal' to allow seed to lodge.
Optimum Sowing Time: Late spring, early autumn, when the soil is warm or as soon as the earth bank is made, or when the earth bank is weed free.

Sowing Conditions: The top may dry out. Seedlings on the sides may be smothered if grasses collapse down on top of them from above.
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. 

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 3 grams per metre.
Low sowing rate: none. 

Grass seed or nurse crop requirement:

Nurse Crop: No nurse crop is required. 
Grass Seed Requirement: n/a, use Bent and Fescue species
Sow with or without grasses: Without grasses, grasses can be added once all species have germinated and are mature.
Sowing rate with grasses: n/a 

If sown without grasses: This mixture will not require a nurse crop. However protection to the species on the top of the mound may be of benefit  

Seed Specification:  
Total number of seeds per gram:2340
In normal conditions (mainly in early Autumn and Spring) this mix should germinate 6 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 40% of all seed should germinate in the first year.
Up to 60% of all species should germinate in 24 months. 
Up to 95% of all species should have flowered by the fourth year after sowing.

Performance: 
Persistence if unmanaged:  Medium 
Tolerance of Cutting: Medium / High after second year. 
General Cutting Time: No cutting in the first year, In July in year two, from year 3, Cut in Mid and again at the end of Summer. Cutting may be hazardous on at eye level on ditches ware protective equipment.
Specific Cutting Time: If grasses dominate, cut in July, in not wait until August, this mixture can be regularly strimmed from the third year onwards.

Management: Control grasses and weeds until well established. Accept any weeds in first year as they provide cover, once the sward is established, digging, spot spraying or weed wiping can be used to eliminate problem species. Control rampant weeds, especially Nettle, if Nettle is present cut this meadow in April and spray or dig the nettle in year two.

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 and Foxglove which are toxic if ingested. Wild Parsnip can irritate the skin.