Wild Flower Meadow

This area has poor soil remaining from the original field which is perfect for many wild flowers
as there is less competition from the grass for essential sunlight.

According to The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew we have lost 97% of our ancient wildflower meadows since the 1930s so it was one
of our main targets to try and restore this small patch. As it had been mowed for years it was in a
poor state.

A plant survey was carried out in 2021 by Peter Billingshirst, an official Hampshire
surveyor, once it had had a couple of years to recover. A few common spotted orchids, black medic,
sangfoin, oxeye daisy, yarrow, scentless mayweed, red and white clover, wild carrot, creeping
cinquefoil, sainfoin and vetch are reappearing.

In autumn 2021 we planted over 40 cowslips which
hopefully will establish and are waiting to see what else may appear. A list of each wildflower's
benefits will be added in the future and the first 2021 plant list for the whole site is available here.