I Want To Create A Meadow

[hammerman]

I have an area of grass at work which I don't cut as often as the ornamental area. I'd like to turn it into some sort of meadow but I have several problems which I need to address.

Firstly, the area of as is under a large oak tree and several 150 year old beach trees. They obviously deposit tons of leaves on the area....which are blown of regularly in autumn but it still leaves a fairly rich soil.

The grass is also fairly vigorous....shade and nutrients again

It can also be prone to a bit of foot traffic.

When I dont mow.....the area becomes full of buttercups, daisies and other bits like selfheal and even ragwort.

I'd like to increase the diversity of the area and maybe extend the season. I'd like it to look pretty as it's in an ornamental garden yet be attractive to wildlife.

Stripping the existing grass off is not really an option so any new plants would have to be planted or seed sow direct,

I'm looking for some inspiration.....any ideas, plant suggestion etc. We're on beautiful loam with is just on the side of alkaline.

[maggiebee]

This one site you might like to have a look at. Seems to have lots of ideas but I'm certainly no expert!
www.meadowmania.co.uk/wild-flower-meadow.htm

[Buenchico]

See 'Converting a lawn to a meadow' here:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=436
and remember that it will still need some maintenance:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=446

[Chipchopper]

Not always easy to get things growing under beech trees, as you know, due to the chemicals in the leaves but you do seem to be doing pretty well in spite of that.
Native bluebells should do well there and should spread well if left to their own devices, as will snowdrops and maybe wood anemone, sweet wooddruff and red campion.
I have a couple of areas that I let grow long until the flowers have finished, in these areas I've grown : orange hawkbit ( not a true native but looks great and wildlife friendly), also oxeye daisy and ladies bedstraw are increasing well. Some primula's grow well there too.
I like to plant in small drifts, then allow nature to do the rest.

Nice project, good luck with it!