Description
SunMeadow combines five species — Yaak Yarrow (Achillea millefolium var. Yaak), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), and Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) — to produce a full-season flowering meadow that requires no mowing, no fertiliser and no irrigation once established. Non-GMO. Full sun (6+ hours). Zones 3–9.
What’s in SunMeadow
| Species | Common name | Height | Colour | Bloom | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achillea millefolium var. Yaak | Yaak Yarrow | 4–12 inches | White | June–September | Perennial — turf-type, mow-tolerant |
| Rudbeckia hirta | Black-eyed Susan | 12–36 inches | Yellow, dark centre | July–October | Biennial/short-lived perennial — self-seeds |
| Leucanthemum vulgare | Ox-eye Daisy | 12–24 inches | White, yellow centre | May–August | Perennial — spreads by rhizome & seed |
| Echinacea purpurea | Purple Coneflower | 18–36 inches | Pink-purple | June–October | Long-lived perennial — seeds persist 20+ years |
| Centaurea cyanus | Cornflower | 12–36 inches | Blue | April–July | Annual — self-seeds prolifically in year 1 |
The Season-Long Design
SunMeadow is engineered for continuous bloom. Cornflower fires early in spring while the perennials establish. Ox-eye Daisy takes over in May. Yaak Yarrow, Black-eyed Susan and Purple Coneflower carry the display through summer and well into autumn — with Purple Coneflower often blooming until first frost.
| Month | In bloom | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| April–May | Cornflower (blue) | First colour of the season. Annual — self-seeds for next year. |
| May–June | Ox-eye Daisy (white), Cornflower | White daisy display at peak. |
| June–July | Yaak Yarrow (white), Black-eyed Susan (yellow) | Meadow fills in from ground level upward. |
| July–August | All five species potentially in bloom | Peak visual display. Pollinator activity highest. |
| August–October | Purple Coneflower (pink), Black-eyed Susan | Late-season blooms. Seed heads for birds. |
| Oct onwards | Seed heads standing | Goldfinches feed on Coneflower heads through winter. |
Pollinator Value
SunMeadow is one of the highest-value pollinator plantings in our range. Purple Coneflower is in the top ten native plants for native bee diversity — it supports over 50 specialist bee species. Black-eyed Susan is equally important, particularly for long-tongued native bees. Yarrow attracts small native bees and beneficial hoverflies. Cornflower is a key honeybee plant in early spring before other flowers are open.
Planting Guide
Site preparation — the most important step
Wildflowers compete poorly with established grass. The single biggest predictor of SunMeadow success is how clean the seedbed is when you sow.
- Remove all existing grass and weeds. Use a sod cutter, solarisation with clear plastic (4–6 weeks) or light cultivation followed by a stale seedbed period.
- Do NOT till deeply on weedy sites — deep tillage brings up weed seeds. A shallow scratch of the surface is enough.
- Sow at per 1,000 sq ft. Mix with dry sand for even broadcast distribution — wildflower seed is very light.
- Rake very lightly and press/roll. Seed should sit in the top ¼ inch — not buried.
- Water gently after sowing. Keep moist for 2–3 weeks. Once germinated, rainfall is typically sufficient.
When to plant
| Region | Spring (good) | Autumn (best in most regions) |
|---|---|---|
| Zones 3–5 | April–May | September–October |
| Zones 6–7 | March–April | October |
| Zones 8–9 | February–March | October–November |
Autumn sowing allows natural cold stratification of perennial species and positions annual Cornflower for the earliest possible spring germination.
Year-by-Year Expectations
| Year | What happens |
|---|---|
| Year 1 (spring sow) | Cornflower blooms strongly. Ox-eye Daisy may flower. Perennials establish roots — little above-ground display. |
| Year 1 (autumn sow) | Cornflower emerges in spring and blooms. Perennials begin spring growth. |
| Year 2 | Full display. Black-eyed Susan, Ox-eye Daisy, Yarrow and Coneflower all bloom. Self-seeding begins. |
| Year 3+ | Self-sustaining meadow. Annual Cornflower returns from self-seed. Perennials expanding. No intervention needed. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it need mowing?
No — SunMeadow is designed to be unmowed. The one exception: a single cut to 4–6 inches in late autumn (after seed set) removes dead stems and prepares the stand for the following spring. This is optional but keeps the planting tidy through winter.
Will it come back every year?
Yes. Purple Coneflower and Ox-eye Daisy are long-lived perennials. Yaak Yarrow spreads by rhizome. Black-eyed Susan self-seeds prolifically. Cornflower returns from self-sown seed each year. Once established, SunMeadow is effectively self-renewing without reseeding.
Is it suitable as a lawn alternative for the whole garden?
For gardens where a mowable lawn is needed, WildLawn is the right product — it combines fine fescue with lower-growing flowering species. SunMeadow reaches 12–36 inches and is best in unmowed areas, field edges, and dedicated meadow zones.
