Skip to main content

Which seed should I use?

Whether you wish to create a meadow from scratch or introduce more wildflowers and grasses into your meadow or grassy area, or within your garden lawn, our species lists are here to guide you.

A wildflower meadow with yellow, white, purple flowers in among the grass. The meadow is in Ryewater, Dorset. Image is by Jo Costley.

When selecting seeds, the first things to think about are:

  • soil type
  • fertility levels
  • problem plants and how to manage them.

You can do this by understanding what the species that are already there are telling you about your soil, fertility and its existing species, and/or by carrying out a soil test. If you are wishing to introduce more species to an existing grassland, then knowing what you already have is important so that you can tailor what you introduce to be an appropriate match.

It is best to survey your grassy area over the summer and use our handy ‘plant forensics’ guide to help you understand which species are likely to do well, before purchasing any seed.

We recommend using local seed mixes which you can check against the most appropriate species list below to be sure of a good match. Alternatively, if you know a local meadow with appropriate species, and you can organise either green hay or brush-harvesting, or even hand collecting ripe seed of specific species, this would be even better.

Choosing your species

field full of variety of flowers in pink, yellow purple

To help you on your meadow-making journey, we have made these lists as a starting point for creating or restoring grassland in a typical species-poor or species-moderate grassland scenario.

Please note that these are not definitive lists, and different sites and situations may require a more bespoke approach. If your grassland is outside of the ‘norm’ such as within a national park or AONB – then contact us for a more bespoke guidance on seed-mixes which will reflect the site’s regional distinctiveness.

For example, a pH neutral hay meadow in the south west of England won’t have the same community as a neutral hay meadow in the Lake District . We have also left out species which are very geographically specific. So, if you have an unusual site with potential to support a rare habitat, then contact us for more bespoke list.

These lists divide the species into Groups 1, 2 and 3, in order of their fussiness to levels of fertility and difficulty establishing from seed-introduction.

  • Group 1 – fertility-tolerant and easy to establish from seed
  • Group 2 – moderate fertility, moderate colonisers from seed
  • Group 3 – poor colonisers, sensitive and poor soils only, may need introducing via established plugs

No quantities have been outlined in the lists below because seed providers should be able to provide this detail, or already have this outlined in their meadow-mixes. In general, however, grassland communities will be between 50-80% grass, and those with high fertility will usually settle into a higher percentage content of the grass species.

Species lists for different grassland types

pH Neutral grassland 5-6.5

  • Group 1

    • Black/Common Knapweed – Centaurea nigra 
    • Burnet Saxifrage – Pimpinella saxifrage 
    • Common Birds-foot Trefoil – Lotus corniculatus 
    • Meadow Vetchling – Lathyrus pratensis 
    • Ox-eye Daisy – Leucanthemum vulgare 
    • Rough Hawkbit – Leontodon hispidus 
    • Bulbous Buttercup – Ranunculus bulbosus 
    • Common Cat’s-ear – Hypochaeris radicata 
    • Common Sorrel – Rumex acetosa 
    • Lesser Trefoil – Trifolium dubium 
    • Ribwort Plantain – Plantago lanceolata 
    • Meadow Buttercup – Ranunculus acris 
    • Red Clover (native variety) – Trifolium pratense var pratense 
    • Selfheal – Prunella vulgaris
    • Yarrow – Achillea millifolium 
    • Wild Carrot – Daucus carota 
    • Germander Speedwell – Veronica chamaedrys 
    • Black Medick – Medicago lupilina 

     

  • Group 2

    • Autumn Hawkbit – Scorzoneroides autumnalis 
    • Goat’s-beard – Tragopogon pratensis 
    • Musk Mallow – Malva moschata 
    • Agrimony – Agrimony eupatoria 
    • Cowslip – Primula veris 
    • Lady’s Bedstraw – Gallium verum 
    • Salad Burnet – Poterium sanguisorba 
    • Yellow Rattle – Rhinanthus minor 
    • Bugle – Ajuga reptans 
    • Tufted Vetch – Viccia cracca 
    • Eyebright sp – Euphrasia sp. 
    • Common Milkwort – Polygala vulgaris 
    • Tormentil – Potentilla erecta 
    • Pignut – Conopodium majus 

     

  • Group 3

    • Betony – Stachys officinalis
    • Common Spotted-orchid – Dactylohiza fuchsii (If more alkaline)
    • Bee Orchid – Ophrys apifera 
    • Pyramidal Orchid – Anacamptis pyramidalis (If more alkaline)
    • Dyer’s Greenweed – Genista tinctoria 
    • Wood Anemone – Anemone nemorosa 
    • Field Scabious – Knautia arvensis 

     

  • All these grasses can be introduced as seed (as per Group 1)

    Grasses to introduce (if absent):

      • Yellow Oat-grass – Trisetum flavescens
      • Smooth Meadow-grass – Poa pratensis 
      • Meadow Foxtail – Alopecurus pratensis 
      • Smaller Cat’s-tail – Phleum bertolonii 
    		Grasses (additional) if bare soil:

      • Yorkshire-fog – Holcus lanatus 
      • Red Fescue – Festuca rubra 
      • Crested Dog’s-tail – Cynoscurus cristatus 
      • Common Bent – Agrostis capillaris 
      • Sweet Vernal-grass – Anthoxanthum odoratum 
      • Meadow Barley – Hordeum secalinum 

Wetter soils/floodplain (neutral pH 5-6.5)

  • Group 1

    • Ragged Robin – Silene flos-cuculi 
    • Cuckooflower – Cardamine pratensis 
    • Great Burnet – Sanguisorba officinalis 
    • Greater Bird’s-foot Trefoil – Lotus pedunculatus 
    • Common Sorrel – Rumex acetosa 
    • Lesser Trefoil – Trifolium dubium 
    • Angelica – Angelica sylvestris 
    • Ribwort Plantain – Plantago lanceolata 
    • Meadow Buttercup – Ranunculus acris 
    • Red Clover (native variety) – Trifolium pratense var pratense 
    • Common Fleabane – Pulicaria dysenterica 

     

  • Group 2

    • Meadowsweet – Filipendula ulmaria 
    • Marsh/Fen Bedstraw – Gallium uliginosum 
    • Water Mint – Mentha aquatica 
    • Common Bistort – Bistorta officinalis 
    • Common Meadow-rue – Thalictrum flavum 
    • Pepper Saxifrage – Silaum silaus 
    • Sneezewort – Achillea ptarmica 
    • Creeping Jenny – Lysimachia nummularia
    • Water Avens – Geum rivale 
    • Narrow-leaved Water-dropwort – Oenanthe silaifolia 
    • Tufted Vetch – Viccia cracca 
    • Marsh Marigold – Caltha palustris 

     

  • Group 3

    • Devil’s-bit Scabious – Succisa pratensis 
    • Saw-wort – Serratula tinctorium 
    • Betony – Stachys officinalis 
    • Marsh Speedwell – Veronica scutellata 
    • Marsh Valerian – Valeriana dioica 
    • Southern Marsh Orchid – Dactylorhiza praetermissa (where more alkaline)

     

  • All these grasses can be introduced as seed (as per Group 1)

    Grasses to introduce (if not present):

    • Meadow Foxtail – Alopecurus pratensis 
    • Sweet Vernal-grass  – Anthoxanthum odoratum 
    • Marsh Foxtail – Alopecurus geniculatus 
    • Crested Dog’s-tail – Cynosurus cristatus 
    		Grasses (additional) if bare soil:

    • Creeping Bent – Agrostis stolonifera 
    • Yorkshire-fog – Holcus lanatus 
    • Red Fescue – Festuca rubra agg. 

Lowland acidic grassland (pH < 5.5)

  • Group 1

    • Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil – Lotus corniculatus 
    • Rough Hawkbit – Leontodon hispidus 
    • Field Woodrush – Luzula campestris 
    		Where mildly acidic:

    • Common Cat’s-ear – Hypochaeris radicata 
    • Lesser Trefoil – Trifolium dubium 
    • Ribwort Plantain – Plantago lanceolata 
    • Selfheal – Prunella vulgaris 
    • Yarrow – Achillea millifolium 
    • Black Medick – Medicago lupilina 

     

  • Group 2

    • Sheep’s Sorrel – Rumex acetosella 
    • Heather/Ling  – Calluna vulgaris 
    • Heath Bedstraw – Gallium saxatile 
    • Lady’s Bedstraw (on mild acid) – Gallium verum 
    • Lesser Stitchwort – Stellaria graminea 
    • Bell Heather – Erica cinerea
    • Common Bird’s-foot – Ornithopus perpusillus 
    • Common Centaury – Centaurium erythraea 
    • Common Stork’s-bill – Erodium cicutarium 
    • Heath Milkwort – Polygala serpyllfolia 
    • Mouse-ear Hawkweed – Pilosella officinarum 
    • Tormentil – Potentilla erecta 
    • Common Dog-violet – Viola reichenbechiana 
    • Heath Violet – Viola canina 
    • Autumn Hawkbit – Scorzoneroides autumnalis (where mildly acidic)
    • Pignut – Conopodium majus 

     

  • Group 3

    • Betony – Betonica officinalis
    • Devil’s-bit Scabious – Succisa pratensis
    • Heath Spotted-orchid – Dactylorhiza maculata 
    • Wild Thyme – Thymus polytrichus 
    • Blue Fleabane – Erigeron acer 
    • Wood Anemone – Anemone nemorosa 
    • Harebell – Campanula rotundifolia 
    • Heath Speedwell (on anthills) – Veronica officinalis 
    • Field Scabious – Knautia arvensis 
    • Bitter-vetch – Lathyrus linifolius 
    • Lesser Hawkbit – Leontodon saxatilis 
    • Biting Stonecrop – Sedum acre 
    • Lousewort – Pedicularis sylvatica 
    • Saw-wort – Serratula tinctoria 
    • Wood Sage – Teucrium scorodonia 
    • Sheep’s-bit – Jasione montana 

     

  • All these grasses can be introduced as seed (as per Group 1)

    Grasses to introduce (if absent):

    • Sweet Vernal-grass – Anthoxanthum odoratum 
    • Common Bent – Agrostis capillaris 
    • Red Fescue – Festuca rubra 
    • Sheep’s Fescue – Festuca ovina 
    • Wavy Hair-grass – Deschampsia flexuosa 
    • Squirrel-tail Fescue – Vulpia bromoides 
    		 

    • Early Hair-grass – Aira praecox 
    • Silver Hair-grass – Aira caryophyllea 
    • Heath Grass – Danthonia decumbens 
    • Fine-leaved Sheep’s fescue – Festuca filiformis 
    • Velvet Bent (where damp) – Agrostis canina  
    • Brown Bent – Agrostis vinealis 

Lowland Calcareous pH > 6.5

  • Group 1

    • Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil – Lotus corniculatus 
    • Oxeye Daisy – Leucanthemum vulgare 
    • Rough Hawkbit – Leontodon hispidus
    • Kidney Vetch – Anthyllis vulneraria 
    • Chalk Knapweed – Centaurea debeauxii 

    Where mildly alkaline:

    • Bulbous Buttercup – Ranunculus bulbosus 
    • Common Cat’s-ear – Hypochaeris radicata 
    • Common Sorrel – Rumex acetosa 
    • Lesser Trefoil – Trifolium dubium 
    • Ribwort Plantain – Plantago lanceolata 
    • Red Clover (native variety) – Trifolium pratense var pratense 
    • Selfheal – Prunella vulgaris 
    • Yarrow – Achillea millifolium 
    • Germander Speedwell – Veronica chamaedrys
    • Black Medick – Medicago lupilina 

     

  • Group 2

    • Cowslip – Primula veris
    • Autumn Hawkbit – Scorzoneroides autumnalis (where mildly alkaline)
    • Tufted Vetch – Viccia cracca (where mildly alkaline)
    • Dwarf Thistle – Cirsium acaule 
    • Lady’s Bedstraw – Gallium verum 
    • Sainfoin – Onobrychis viciifolia 
    • Salad Burnet – Poterium sanguisorba 
    • Carline Thistle (s-facing) – Carlina vulgaris  
    • Yellow Rattle – Rhinanthus minor 
    • Common Centaury (well-drained) – Centaurium erythraea 
    • Bladder Campion  – Silene vulgaris 
    • Common Stork’s-bill – Erodium cicutarium 
    • Mouse-ear Hawkweed – Pilosella officinarum 
    • Thyme-leaved Sandwort – Arenaria serpyllifolia 
    • Wild Basil (southern UK) – Clinopodium vulgare 
    • Marjoram – Origanum vulgare 
    • Yellow-wort – Blackstonia perfoliate 

     

  • Group 2 or 3

    • Eyebrights – Euphrasia officinalis agg. 
    • Autumn Gentian – Gentianella amarella 
    • English Gentian (only in south and midlands) – Gentianella anglica 
    • Common Milkwort – Polygala vulgaris 
    • Saw-wort – Serratula tinctorium 
    • Squinancywort – Asperula cynanchica 
    • Lesser Hawkbit – Leontodon saxatilis
    • Common Restharrow 
    • Wild Strawberry 

     

  • Group 3

    • Field Scabious – Knautia arvensis  
    • Betony – Stachys officinalis
    • Clustered Bellflower 
    • Common Rock-rose – Helianthemum nummularium 
    • Devil’s-bit Scabious – Succisa pratensis 
    • Common Spotted-orchid – Dactylohiza fuchsii 
    • Pyramidal Orchid – Anacamptis pyramidalis
    • Bee Orchid – Ophrys apifera 
    • Dropwort – Filipendula vulgaris 
    • Fairy Flax – Linum catharticum 
    • Greater Knapweed 
    • Hairy Violet 
    • Harebell – Campanula rotundifolia 
    • Hoary Plantain – Plantago 
    • Horseshoe Vetch 
    • Small Scabious – Scabiosa columbaria 
    • Wild Thyme – Thymus polytrichus 
    • Large Thyme – Thymus pulegioides 
    • Biting Stonecrop – Sedum acre 
    • Bloody Crane’s-bill 
    • Common Milkwort – Polygala vulgaris 
    • Chalk Milkwort 

     

  • All these grasses can be introduced as seed (as per Group 1)

    Grasses to introduce (if absent):

    • Upright Brome – Bromopsis erecta 
    • Crested Dog’s-tail – Cynosurus cristatus 
    • Red Fescue – Festuca rubra agg. 
    • Downy Oat-grass – Helictotrichon pubescens 
    • Meadow Oat-grass – Helictotrichon pratense 
    • Yellow Oat-grass – Trisetum flavescens
    • Narrow-leaved Meadow-grass – Poa angustifolia 
    • Quaking-grass – Briza media 
    • Crested Hair-grass – Koeleria macrantha 
    • Yellow Oat-grass – Trisetum flavescens 
    • Sheep’s Fescue – Festuca ovina 

Upland habitats – all those grasslands which are above approximately 250m (sea level). If close to 250m and somewhat sheltered, the above lowland species may also thrive.

Upland calcareous pH > 6.5

  • Group 1

    • Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil – Lotus corniculatus 
    • Rough Hawkbit – Leontodon hispidus

     

  • Group 2

     

    • Salad Burnet – Poterium sanguisorba 
    • Carline Thistle (s-facing) – Carlina vulgaris 
    • Mouse-ear Hawkweed – Pilosella officinarum 

     

  • Group 2 or 3

    • Eyebrights – Euphrasia officinalis agg. 
    • Autumn Gentian – Gentianella amarella 
    • Squinancywort – Asperula cynanchica 

     

  • Group 3

    • Common Rock-rose – Helianthemum nummularium 
    • Dropwort – Filipendula vulgaris 
    • Devil’s-bit Scabious – Succisa pratensis 
    • Fairy Flax – Linum catharticum 
    		 

    • Harebell – Campanula rotundifolia 
    • Wild Thyme – Thymus polytrichus 
    • Small Scabious – Scabiosa columbaria 
    • Horseshoe Vetch – Hippocrepis comosa 

     

  • All these grasses can be introduced as seed (as per Group 1)

    Grasses to introduce (if absent):

    • Upright Brome – Bromopsis erecta 
    • Crested Dog’s-tail – Cynosurus cristatus 
    • Red Fescue – Festuca rubra agg. 
    • Downy Oat-grass – Helictotrichon pubescens 
    • Meadow Oat-grass – Helictotrichon pratense 
    • Yellow Oat-grass – Trisetum flavescens
    • Narrow-leaved Meadow-grass – Poa angustifolia 
    • Quaking-grass – Briza media 
    • Crested Hair-grass – Koeleria macrantha 
    • Sheep’s Fescue – Festuca ovina 

Upland acid pH < 5.5

  • Group 1

    • Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil – Lotus corniculatus 
    • Field Woodrush – Luzula campestris 
    • Rough Hawkbit – Leontodon hispidus

     

  • Group 2

     

    • Sheep’s Sorrel – Rumex acetosella 
    • Heath Bedstraw – Gallium saxatile 
    • Heather/Ling – Calluna vulgaris 
    • Tormentil – Potentilla erecta (group 2 or 3)

     

  • All these grasses can be introduced as seed (as per Group 1)

    Grasses to introduce (if absent):

    • Sweet Vernal-grass – Anthoxanthum odoratum 
    • Common Bent – Agrostis capillaris 
    • Sheep’s Fescue – Festuca ovina 
    • Wavy Hair-grass – Deschampsia flexuosa 
    • Yorkshire-fog – Holcus lanatus 
    • Fine-leaved Sheep’s Fescue  – Festuca filiformis  
    • Velvet Bent (where damp) – Agrostis canina 
    • Brown Bent – Agrostis vinealis 
    • Squirrel-tail Fescue – Vulpia bromoides 
    • Early Hair–grass – Aira praecox 
    • Silver Hair-grass – Aira caryophyllea 
    • Heath Grass – Danthonia decumbens 

Upland hay meadows pH neutral 5 – 6.5

  • Group 1

    • Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil – Lotus corniculatus 
    • Black/common Knapweed – Centaurea nigra 
    • Burnet Saxifrage – Pimpinella saxifrage 
    • Great Burnet – Sanguisorba officinalis 
    • Rough Hawkbit – Leontodon hispidus
    • Ragged Robin – Silene flos-cuculi 
    • Meadow Vetchling – Lathyrus pratensis 
    • Autumn Hawkbit – Scorzoneroides autumnalis (group 1 or 2)

     

  • Group 2

     

    • Bugle – Ajuga reptans 
    • Meadowsweet – Filipendula ulmaria 
    • Lady’s Mantles – Alchemilla sp. 
    • Marsh Marigold – Caltha palustris 
    • Sneezewort – Achillea ptarmica
    • Water Avens – Geum rivale 
    • Common Bistort – Bistorta officinalis 

     

     

  • Group 2 or 3

    • Eyebrights – Euphrasia officinalis agg. 
    • Tormentil – Potentilla erecta
    • Pignut – Conopodium majus 
    • Saw-wort – Serratula tinctorium 
    • Yellow Rattle – Rhinanthus minor 

     

  • Group 3

     

    • Devil’s-bit Scabious – Succisa pratensis 
    • Wood Anemone – Anemone nemorosa 
    		 

    • Wood Crane’s-bill 
    • Meloncholy Thistle – Cirsium heterophyllum  

     

  • All these grasses can be introduced as seed (as per Group 1)

    Grasses to introduce (if absent):

     

    • Yellow Oat-grass – Trisetum flavescens
    • Smooth Meadow-grass – Poa pratensis 
    • Yorkshire-fog – Holcus lanatus 
    • Crested Dog’s-tail – Cynosurus cristatus 
    • Red Fescue – Festuca rubra agg. 
    		 

    • Common Bent – Agrostis capillaris 
    • Sweet Vernal-grass – Anthoxanthum odoratum 
    • Meadow Barley – Hordeum secalinum 

More Meadow Guidance

A meadow full of yellow flowers, a blue sky and lush green trees

How to Manage a Meadow

Meadow Saxifrage and buttercups amongst the grasses in Brandon Cemetery, Suffolk

Which Seed should I Choose?

A man holds tools in the middle of Seaton Meadow, ready to start meadow management work

What Equipment do you need to Manage a Meadow

Neutral meadow in Cornwall.

How much does a Meadow Cost?

Meadow Groups Near You

Family activities

Let’s learn about… Lichens

Not many people have heard of lichens, but they are a fascinating and pretty strange part of our natural world. They come in all shapes and sizes, but what exactly are these colourful blobs?

Learn more about what lichens are, what makes them special, and where they grow in these activities perfect for children aged 7-11. We’ll take you on a real lichen adventure! 

  • Go to:

What’s a lichen?

Step 1.

Even though we can find lichens in most places we go, lots of us have never really noticed them and don’t know what they are.  

Have a go at our What’s a lichen? activity to learn everything you need to know about them. 

 

Have a go at our activity

Step 2.

Now you know what a lichen is, can you tell lichens apart from other living things?

Take a look at the activity sheet and see if you can Spot the lichen. 

 

Download and print Spot the lichen sheet

Scroll down for even more lichen activities!

tiny green cup like lichens

Lichens are all around us!

Step 1.

Lichens can grow almost anywhere… they could even be right on your doorstep! 

Find out more about where lichens grow through our online activity – you might be surprised at where you can find them! 

 

Have a go at our activity

Step 2.

Even in busy places, full of people and cars, you’ll be able to spot lichens. They could be anywhere, from playparks and pavements, to graveyards and post boxes. 

Now you know some of the places you might find lichens growing its time to see if you can find some. Go on your own Lichen Hunt to see where you can find them in your local area.  

 

Download and print the Lichen Hunt sheet

Activity Sheets

Download lichen hunt

Download spotter sheet

Wild Parsnip

Pastinaca sativa

Distribution


Widespread throughout the UK

Habitat

 Grassland and scrub

Best time to see

June to August

How to spot it

A tall, strong smelling, hairy plant with a ridged stem. Oval toothed leaves with yellow umbrella shaped flowers.

Other Species

Managing Meadows

Managing Meadows

Meadows are often a defining feature of summer, but when managed properly they can also be a vital habitat for wildlife and nature recovery.

Read more
Meadow Groups Near You

Meadow Groups Near You

Searching for a meadow group near you? We have offered advice and expertise to a variety of community-managed meadow groups and now they can support you.  

Read more
How Much does a Meadow Cost?
Neutral meadow in Cornwall.

How Much does a Meadow Cost?

Whether it’s a small garden meadow or a larger community green space – you need to think about the money.

Read more

White Clover

Trifolium repens

Often found in parks, banks and lawns – any type of grassland habitat – White Clover is the commonest of the clovers.

The White Clover flowerheads are ball-shaped cluster on a long stem, made up of tiny individual white and sometimes very pale pink flowers. The leaves have the archetypal ‘cloverleaf’ shape: three rounded leaflets often with a pale band.

Distribution

Common across the UK.

Habitat

Almost any grassy habitat.

Best time to see

Flowers from June to September.

Did you know?

  • Vernacular names include Milky blobs, Sheepy-maa’s and Bee-bread. The latter name “Bee-bread” derives from the fact that the white flowers can be pulled out of the heads and sucked for a bead of honey.
  • Four- and, even better, five-leaved clovers are considered lucky, though ideally you must come across them accidentally. They were pressed and used as bookmarks in prayer books in parts of Buckinghamshire.

White Clover lawn, image by Archie Thomas

White Clover, image by Trevor Dines

Other Species

How Cut and Collect Save Council Cost – Dorset

 

 

How Cut and Collect Save Council Cost – Dorset

Dorset Council saved their mowing bill by 45% within 5 years

Read more
How Much does a Meadow Cost?
Neutral meadow in Cornwall.

How Much does a Meadow Cost?

Whether it’s a small garden meadow or a larger community green space – you need to think about the money.

Read more
How to Manage a Meadow
A meadow full of yellow flowers, a blue sky and lush green trees

How to Manage a Meadow

Wildflower meadows can sometimes take a while to really bloom, but with careful management, it’s definitely worth the wait.  Read on to learn how to manage a meadow and about different meadow types.

Read more