BFS 3 – Floodplain Meadow Grassland Seed Mix: The Premier Choice for UK Ecological Restoration

The Phoenix Amenity BFS 3 – Floodplain Meadow Grassland Seed Mix is an expertly formulated, high-quality solution designed for the creation and restoration of critically important UK floodplain meadows (MG4, MG8, and MG9 habitats). This rich, biodiverse blend is perfect for projects aimed at enhancing ecological value, supporting wildlife, and establishing resilient, floristically diverse grasslands in areas prone to seasonal inundation.It is a seed mix suited for lowland seasonally flooded areas of low to moderate fertility. It is a habitat of principle importance known as ‘Lowland Meadows’. Floodplain meadows are often managed as traditional hay meadows so left ungrazed from spring and a hay cut is taken by mid July to remove fertility and grazed thereafter. Floodplain meadows often contain variation in field topography e.g ridge and furrow that allow a greater diversity of species to establish in different hydrological conditions. Floodplain meadows provide an important flower rich resource, which is important for a range of pollinators such as common carder bee, orange tip and small copper butterflies and ground nesting birds such as snipe and skylark.

Our meticulously balanced mix features 24 native UK wildflower species and 8 complementary native grass species, ensuring robust establishment and long-term ecological success. The mixture includes:

20% of the following Wildflower Blend for UK Floodplain Habitats:

• 8% Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris): A classic, vibrant yellow meadow flower that thrives in moist, fertile soils.
• 8% Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata): A common and hardy meadow species, providing subtle interest and value to foraging insects.
• 7% Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare): Iconic white daisies that add beauty and attract a wide range of pollinators.
• 7% Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris): A versatile and attractive species, excellent for ground cover and beneficial insects.
• 6% Black Knapweed (Centaurea nigra): A vital nectar source for pollinators, thriving in damp meadows.
• 6% Red Clover (Trifolium pratense): An important nitrogen fixer, enhancing soil fertility and providing abundant forage for bees.
• 5% Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus): Often called “Eggs and Bacon,” this cheerful yellow flower is a crucial food source for many invertebrates, including various butterfly larvae.
• 5% Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria): Iconic, fragrant species characteristic of damp grasslands.
• 5% Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor): A critically important hemi-parasitic annual that helps to suppress vigorous grasses, allowing other wildflowers to flourish and increasing the overall floral diversity of the meadow.
• 4% Autumn Hawkbit (Leontodon autumnalis): Provides late-season yellow flowers, extending the foraging period for pollinators.
• 4% Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa): Adds a distinctive reddish hue to the meadow, contributing to its natural aesthetic.
• 4% Greater Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus): Similar to its common cousin but often prefers wetter conditions, providing extended flowering and ecological benefits.
• 4% Great Burnet (Sanguisorba officianlis): A distinctive, deep red flower head indicative of high-quality, species-rich floodplain meadows.
• 3% Betony (Stachys officianlis): Features striking purple flower spikes, highly attractive to bees.
• 3% Common Cat’s-ear (Hypochaeris radicata): Yellow dandelion-like flowers that contribute to the overall meadow colour.
• 3% Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis): A climbing pea-like flower that adds structure and attracts pollinators.
• 3% Square-stemmed St John’s-wort (Hypericum tetrapterum): Yellow flowers that thrive in damp or wet ground, adding to the meadow’s character.
• 3% Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): A hardy species with flat-topped white flower heads, known for its resilience and attraction to beneficial insects.
• 3% Devil’s-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis): Late-flowering purple-blue flowers, a key food source for the Marsh Fritillary butterfly.
• 2% Pepper Saxifrage (Silaum silaus): Fine, yellow-green flowers, adding subtle interest to the mix.
• 2% Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi): A beautiful, distinctive pink flower often found in damp meadows.
• 2% Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca): A vigorous climbing vetch with purple flowers, contributing to floral diversity and providing nitrogen fixation.
• 2% Primula veris (Cowslip): A charming early-spring flower, iconic in traditional British meadows, adding a touch of golden yellow.
• 1% Marsh Bedstraw (Galium palustre): A delicate, white-flowered species that forms sprawling mats, particularly well-suited to damp and wetland conditions.

80% of the following Resilient Grass Base for Floodplain Conditions:

• 45% Red Fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. rubra) & 35% Crested Dog’s-tail (Cynosurus cristatus): Form the foundational, robust turf, tolerant of varying moisture levels.
• 3% Creeping Bent (Agrostis stolonifera): Highly adaptable, it thrives in damp conditions and spreads to consolidate the sward.
• 2% Marsh Foxtail (Alopecurus geniculatus) & 3% Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis): Key wetland-adapted grasses that tolerate seasonal waterlogging.
• 5% Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus): A versatile grass, common in traditional meadows, providing good cover in various soil types.
• 3% Tufted Hair Grass (Deschampsia cespitosa): Tolerant of wet and heavy clay soils, forming distinctive tussocks that provide structural diversity.
• 4% Sweet Vernal Grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum): Adds a characteristic fragrance to the meadow, particularly when cut for hay.

Why Choose BFS 3 – Floodplain Meadow Grassland Seed Mix for Your UK Project?

• Authentic MG4, MG8, and MG9 Habitat Creation: Designed to replicate and restore historically rich floodplain meadow ecosystems, crucial for biodiversity net gain and ecological compensation schemes.
• Exceptional Biodiversity Value: Provides diverse nectar sources, shelter, and breeding grounds for a wide range of UK pollinators, insects, birds, and small mammals.
• Resilience to Flooding & Damp Soils: The specific blend of grasses and wildflowers is selected for its natural tolerance to seasonal inundation and heavy, wet soils, ensuring long-term success where other mixes fail.
• Sustainable & Low Maintenance: Once established, these meadows require minimal intervention, contributing to natural flood management and sustainable land use.
• Enhanced Landscape Aesthetics: Creates a stunning, vibrant display of native wildflowers, enriching the visual appeal of any countryside restoration or amenity project.
• Proven UK Native Species: All species are carefully chosen to be UK native, ensuring ecological integrity and successful establishment in the British climate.

Ideal Applications in the UK:

• Floodplain Meadow Creation & Restoration
• Riverbank & Riparian Zone Enhancement
• Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) with Flood Attenuation
• Wet Grassland Habitat Restoration
• Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Projects
• Ecological Mitigation & Offsetting
• Traditional Hay Meadow Establishment

Sowing Rate Guidelines:

• For New Establishment: Approximately 3-5g per square metre (ensure fine, firm seedbed)
• For Overseeding Existing Grassland: Approximately 1-3g per square metre (prepare existing sward to allow seed-to-soil contact)

Invest in the ecological future of your land. Choose BFS 3 – Floodplain Meadow Grassland Seed Mix for authentic, biodiverse, and resilient UK floodplain habitats.

Suitable NVC Communities: MG4; MG8; MG9
Sowing Rate: 5g/m²
Contains: Wildflowers 20% (24 species) Grasses 80% (8 species)

N.B: All seeds specified in this mixture are subject to availability at the time of purchase.