News / conservation
Blooming marvellous wildflower meadow experiment
A slope overlooking south Bristol is being transformed into a wildflower meadow and wildflower ‘floral lawn’.
Three different techniques are on show on the same bank: one area is cut once or twice a year with the grass cuttings removed so they do not refertilise the soil, favouring wildflowers over course grass over time; and the two other areas are cut more regularly so that the flowers remain low.
Each area is also treated differently: hand-turned soil, hand-turned soil with shallow cuts and the third broken up by a rotating blade.
is needed now More than ever
Three different techniques are being used as an experiment on the same patch of land – photo: Martin Booth
Over time, different species of flowers will come and go with more than 80 species of native flowers sown, each of which prefers different types of year to bloom and takes different amounts of time to establish.
Clifton Hill meadow and wildflower lawn aims to be a “buzzing hotspot” in the heart of BS8.
The experiment has been led by volunteers from West Bristol Climate Action with the support of Bristol City Council.
A sign informs passers-by that the aim here “is to bring colour and life to what was just a grassy bank on this council-owned land, and to show local people and visitors the benefits that wildflowers can bring”.
The wildflower meadow is opposite Goldney Hall – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Martin Booth
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