Wild flower Specification Manual By Grahame Dixie and Matthew Swift
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Specification Manual By Grahame Dixie and Matthew Swift H.V. Horticulture Dorset H .V. Horticulture Ltd. Spring Mead Bedchester Shaftesbury December 1996 Dorset SP7 OJU Copyright: G.B.R. Dixie Tel. 01747 811778 ISBN 0 9529989 2 0 Preface The aim of this document is to provide the designer, ecologist and gardener with a detailed understanding of the most attractive of our native wild flowers so as to facilitate appropriate species selection and specification. A standard format is applied to each of the 73 species covered in this publication. A brief description is given of each species covering appearance, size and flowering to provide the reader with a thumb-nail sketch of the plant. The text then sets out our best understanding of the natural and semi-natural habitats where the individual species is found. This information is gleaned from various authoritative sources such as ‘Comparative Plant Ecology’ by J.P.Grime et al, ‘The Wildflower Handbook’ produced by the Department of Transport, Volumes 1,2 and 3 of ‘British Plant Communities’ by J.S.Rodwell, ‘Wild Flowers of Britain’ by Roger Phillips and ‘Flora Britannica’ by Richard Mabey allied with personal observations. This section aims to clarify the range of habitats in which the species are found and to present the best quantitative and qualitative data on their environmental requirements. A diagrammatic table is used to set out the flowering season of each species and to provide the best information on soil pH, fertility and moisture status that the plant enjoys and its tolerance of shade. The final section aims to provide suggestions for the species’ potential role in habitat re-construction projects, in designed landscapes and in the garden. This covers where the plants could be established, typical micro-habitats and how the plants can be incorporated into the various environments within a garden. Wherever possible recommendations are given for species management in terms of cutting and timing. Finally, the role of the plant in attracting insects and butterflies is set out. This lists whether the plant is an important nectar source, specifies which butterflies have a preference for the plant’s nectar and notes which plants act as hosts for individual butterfly’s larva. We would recommend that when designing a project using wild flowers that soil samples are taken and analysed for pH, available Phosphate (using Olsen’s extraction technique), Potassium and available and total Nitrogen. The results help build up a picture of the soils fertility and its acidity/alkalinity. A resource audit of the site’s micro-habitats helps define the size and range of environments that can be utilised. A rapid local survey of the native flora normally provides valuable clues as to which species thrive locally. We find that the county Naturalist Trusts are invaluable as a source of information as to appropriate local species of plants and the natural National Vegetation Classifications of the area. It is by combining the site specific information with the data in this book that the designer, ecologist or gardener can confidently recommend a range of wild flowers which will suite the site and match the objectives of the individual scheme. Contents Page Common and Latin names listed
Key To Habitat Classifications: All species except Chicory and Snowdrop include NVC ( National Vegetation Classification) codes taken from J.S Rodwell’s British Plant Communities volumes 1 to 3. Habitat types are shown in three ways CG1,CG1,CG1. A normal type coding indicates a habitat where the species occurs, if a coding is in bold type it shows a habitat where the species is constant through the community, if in italics that coding indicates the species is common in sub-communities. The codings below set out the major classifications of the NVC.
The tables showing the environmental requirements for the individual species have solid black blocks “▄▄▄▄▄“ indicate where it does best, while the “▄ ▄ ▄“ show where the plant will grow, but may not thrive. The tables also set out when the plants are in full flower “▄▄▄▄▄“ and when flowering is more intermittent “▄ ▄ ▄“. SPECIES DESCRIPTION 1 Agrimony ( Agrimonia eupatoria ) Description and Habitat: This perennial plant has large arrow shaped leaves and produces yellow flowers on a tall erect stem (50cm to 80cm) from June to August with rust coloured hooked fruits. Agrimony is a common way-side perennial which thrives on dry, open, circum-neutral and calcareous grasslands, ( MG1,5,9, CG2,3,6,7). The plant does very well on wastelands and chalk pastures. It is common throughout England, but not in Northern Scotland. The plants height means that it grows above most grasses and requires very little management except cutting back in autumn.
Role: This is a late summer flowering plant of meadows, banks and pastures and once established requires little management. Planted against a dark background, like a hedge, sets off the tall yellow flower spikes. Often found alongside paths and roads. Agrimony is important nectar source for butterflies, bees, hoverflies, while its leaves provide protection for many insects. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||