Pictorial Meadows are committed to increasing biodiversity in gardens and urban communities. They believe embracing the beauty of flower meadows is not just about creating an aesthetically-pleasing environment, but also about fostering a lasting and harmonious coexistence with nature.
The Pictorial Meadows Difference
With over 20 years of dedicated research and development, in partnership with the University of Sheffield, Pictorial Meadows are committed to creating nature-based solutions that are proven and reliable. Recognising that societal acceptance is crucial for the long-term success of such planting styles, their goal is to make biodiversity-rich flower meadows accessible and appealing to all.
Quick and Colourful
Annual flower meadows are an excellent starting point when wanting to increase biodiversity into projects. Not only are they affordable and easy to implement, but they yield quick-wins and vibrant results. The burst of colour is often a talking point for people, as well as a magnet for insects and pollinators that enrich the local ecosystem. These annual seed-sown meadows can be a very rewarding introduction into the world of colour and biodiversity, paving the way for more extensive and longer-term planting practices.
Simplified Long-term Solutions
If you want to remove the complexity of growing from seed, Pictorial Meadows’ pre-grown turf simplifies this process as all the professional horticultural growing has been done in advance, providing an instant and long-term planting solution. But it doesn’t have to be a distinct choice between perennial seed and turf – a combination of both can be employed by carefully thinking about sightlines and planting densities. Strategically placing turf at front-of-view in a planting area will allow perennial seeds to establish behind. This will give quicker and higher flower densities in the foreground, and slower and lower densities at the rear.
Perennial Turf: A Biodiversity Powerhouse
For those seeking the highest levels of biodiversity with minimal effort and instant results, Pictorial Meadows’ perennial turf range is the go-to solution. Offering various mixes tailored to different location requirements, this product contains over thirty different species that boast long-season flowering and exceptional winter interest. The ease of implementation, coupled with the visual spectacle and ecological benefits, makes their perennial turf an ideal choice for all types of projects. Even over winter, biodiversity is being supported; leaving the dead flower heads standing over winter benefits not just biodiversity in the garden, but also local wildlife by providing a habitat for invertebrates and a resource of oil-rich seeds for winter-feeding birds.
Reliable and Trusted
In addition to having won awards for sustainability and biodiversity, customers are delighted with results. After installing Pictorial Meadows’ ‘Classic’ mix at Clumber Park, the National Trust’s Head Gardener, Dene Wood, talked about how the increase in pollinator numbers was not only evident to visitors, but also celebrated. He humorously remarked, “If only those extra visitors (bees and insects) were counted in our visitor numbers!”
Pictorial Meadows is part of The Green Estate Community Interest Company and offers a range of designer meadow seed mixes and turf alongside a professional meadow creation, management and consultation service.