Wildflower meadows in parks

The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames will enjoy a second year of wildflower meadows in 2011. Some of the mixes are native perennial wildflowers and others are a mixture of native and non native annuals. The mixes have all been designed for maximum visual impact and value for wildlife. The wildflower meadow areas will not be fenced off this year as plant growth has been robust. The Meadows will be maintained by BTCV volunteers.

Sites

Crane Park Area 1

East of Hospital Bridge Road, adjacent to Whitton Sports Pitch

This area has been sown with a  native annual mix for colour. The annual mix contains Cornflower, Corn Marigold, Corn Chamomile and Corn Poppy. We have maintained a broad area of mown grass around the perimeter of the meadow and cut a path through a section of the meadow to allow people to walk through it.

Crane Park Area 2

Between Hospital Bridge Road and Great Chertsey Road

This area is sowed with an annual mix which is a mixture of natives and non natives. This mix has the longest flowering season, which starts around eight weeks after sowing and lasts until November. The main components of the mix include Shirley Poppy, Californian Poppy, Cornflower, Fairy Toadflax, Red Flax, Bishops Flower, Tickseed, Corn Marigold, Black-eyed Susan, Red Orache, Larkspur and Cosmos. We will maintain a broad area of mown grass around the perimeter of the meadow and have cut wide paths through the middle of the meadow to allow people to walk through it.

Hampton Common

Alongside new path

This area is sowed with a native annual mix for colour. The annual mix is predominantly Corncockle with Cornflower, Corn Marigold, Corn Chamomile and Corn Poppy. Individual beds will be created in the grass alongside the new path. The beds will be rectangular in shape, with broad areas of mown grass between them.

Wildflower Old Deer Park

Old Deer Park

This area is sowed with a native annual mix for additional colour. The annual mix is predominantly Corncockle with Cornflower, Corn Marigold, Corn Chamomile and Corn Poppy.A single large area, which is visible from the A 316, will be created in the grass.

Vine Road Recreation Ground

This area has been sown with an annual mix which is a mixture of natives and non natives.  This mix has the longest flowering season which starts around eight weeks after sowing and lasts until November. The main components of the mix include Shirley Poppy, Californian Poppy, Cornflower, Fairy Toadflax, Red Flax, Bishops Flower, Tickseed, Corn Marigold, Black-eyed Susan, Red Orache, Larkspur and Cosmos. A swathe will be created in the grass alongside the path.

Pesthouse Common

This area is sowed with a vibrant collection of bright colours of which the main components of the mix are Tickseed, Fairy Toadflax, Field Poppy, Cornflower, Californian Poppy, Corn Marigold, Purple Tansy.

The area was sprayed with Roundup, a translocated herbicide which is de-activated on contact with soil and therefore safe for use around humans and animals. A 150mm layer of sand onto the dead turf has been applied and the seeds sown directly onto the sand. A broad area of mown grass around the perimeter of the meadow and a path through a section of the meadow will be cut and maintained to allow people to walk through it.

For more information please contact us at parks@richmond.gov.uk or telephone 0845 6122 660.