Some people are lucky enough see the beauty of wildflowers unfold before their very eyes, as a hidden seed bank comes to life, giving power to the pollinators! Other people see a variety of grasses appear, which provides a fantastic habitat space for wildlife to hide, live and feed in. 

Look at the benefits of wildflowers and having a wild area in your garden, in May and beyond: 

• Soil health increases 

• New flowers pop up, so pollinators flourish 

• Help out and notice more bees, beetles, butterflies, moths and more 

• Provide more food and shelter for bats, birds, hedgehogs etc 

Share your space with nature 

It’s understandable that you’ll use your garden or community spaces for leisure activities, so it’s ok to mow some of the lawn or even a pathway through the middle. No Mow May highlights the amazing habitats you can create for wildlife by letting the grass grow. A variety of grasses, heights and plants is great for wildlife to thrive. 

If everyone left small areas for wildlife in their gardens, collectively a huge difference would be made to help bring wildlife back locally. Green corridors link up these spaces and are super important to increase biodiversity and movement. 

Mini meadows and wildflowers to boost biodiversity 

When taking part in No Mow May, some people contact us to say that nothing is happening in their lawns. It can take a while to get a greater variety of species in your lawn and it is possible to give this a helping hand by adding in some wildflowers to the lawn or edges throughout the month. 

A wildflower lawn adds floral elements to the area and can be kept short if desired. Recommended wildflowers here include yarrow, selfheal, bird's-foot trefoil, wild marjoram, as well as red and white clover.  

For taller wildflowers around the edges of the lawn, try planting common knapweed, field scabious, tansy and the amazing corky-fruited water-dropwort. 

Or go for a mini meadow! They’re beautiful, interesting and full of life when compared to a plain grass lawn. Habitat and food is created for bugs, bees, butterflies, hoverflies, beetles, moths and more, who in turn feed more wildlife such as birds, bats and hedgehogs. Pollinators pollinate the wildflowers, which self-seed to help spread. 

Wildflower Pots  

You don't have to have a garden to create a mini meadow. Pots, containers, window boxes, patios and balconies are all important spaces for pollinators and potential green corridor links.  

Here are some suggested wildflower pots, as advised by our team at Grow Wilder: 

• Plant pot: oxeye daisy, common knapweed, bird's-foot trefoil 

• Window box: small scabious, bird's-foot trefoil, common toadflax 

• Plant pot: wild marjoram, yarrow, salad burnet 

• Container: a mix of any of these listed above 

What is a weed anyway? 

Beauty certainly is in the eye of the beholder. When you know the benefits and add intentional habitats and features in your green spaces to boost biodiversity and start noticing the amazing pollinators, you will see the beauty for sure! Be the change, connect with nature and see the difference that long grasses and wildflowers make for yourself by taking part in no Mow May.