Seeds of success

Our native wildflowers are now seeding generously.

Their flowers are a vital food supply of protein-rich pollen and energy-giving nectar.

Our wildflowers are also essential food plants for caterpillars. Sometimes insects' larval stage can be very species specific. If we want to boost invertebrate numbers we should increase the quantity and variety of native species we offer..

If we want to play our small part in boosting biodiversity, we could do worse than 'spreading the love' and distributing wildflower seeds into places where they are absent.

Now is our opportunity to take out scissors or secateurs  and a bowl and begin the harvest.

In previous years we’ve had great success growing honeysuckle from ripe berries, dried on a kitchen towel then grown on as seedlings. All of the native honeysuckle on our six-acre site comes from this initial source. This is one of the plants now flowering in the hedge on the lane.

We’re in the process of collecting seeds of the following:

Ragged Robin and flag iris

Yellow rattle

Oxeye daisy

Cowslip

Red campion seed

Lesser knapweed and wild carrot will follow.

With luck, field scabious and meadowsweet will also provide seeds.

As well as collecting seed from our own garden, I am eagle-eyed on walks for wildflower seeds that can boost native flower diversity here, always carrying a small bag for this purpose.

Walking companions have suggested that this is slightly eccentric behaviour.

Moi?!