Planting Wildflower Plugs Plants

Wildflower Plug Plants

The 12 trays of wildflower plug plants arrived from the growers (www.wildflowers.co.uk) two weeks ago and have been in the cold frames waiting to be planted. The 1200 British native plants that were planted today consist of:
Primula veris (Cowslip), Campanula rotundifolia (Harebell), Leuncanthemum vulgare (Oxeye Daisy), Lychnis flos-cuculi (Ragged Robin), Geranium pratense (Meadow Cranesbill), Knautia arvensis (Field Scabious), Ranunculus acris (Meadow Buttercup), Succisa pratensis (Devil's Bit Scabious). 

Using a stainless steel, long handled plug planter, Simon pushes the cutting edge in to the grass then pulls it back out to make a hole, the plug of grass and soil remains inside the planter. 

As he pushes the planter back in to the grass the first plug is pushed out and replaced with the new plug. He repeats this until he has made 1200 holes in the grass and a wheelbarrow full of plugs.

The plug plant is put in to the hole and the soil gently firmed around the neck of the plant to secure it in place.

The team spent the morning working in the Provost's garden planting the plugs, at times, in very wet conditions. Now they have to wait until the summer to see the results.