Eight months of flowering with a mix of bulbs and seeds

In ever more cities, mixes of bulbs and seeds are brightening up the streetscape. With a flowering period of a whopping eight months, these mixes boost biodiversity. What’s more, thanks to their high experience value, they contribute to the livability in cities.

Early spring

Plantings with a mix of bulbs and seeds guarantee a broad range of varieties. This is in line with an ambition that more and more municipalities are pursuing: to strengthen biodiversity. After a long winter, the bulbs in the mix provide a welcome food source for insects, even in early spring. Naturalising bulbs are particularly suitable to this end, such as crocus (including Crocus vernus), Scilla, grape hyacinth (including Muscari armeniacum), allium (including Allium nigrum) and botanical tulip (including Tulipa turkestanica). They will keep coming back for years.

Into autumn

When the seed pods of botanical tulips still have ornamental value and later-flowering bulbs such as Byzantine gladiolus (Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus) and many ornamental onions are still in bloom, in May and June the wildflowers of annual, biennial or perennial seeds start to appear. At each stage, a new picture emerges with different flowers, colours and shapes. Flowering will continue into autumn. Birds can take advantage of the mix by snacking on the seeds.

Tip

Identify (middle) verges (with a limited number of plant varieties, grass, or stones) that can form a connecting link in the insect habitat. Apply the mixes there.

Practical

  • Most mixes involve customisation and are tailored to the soil type, environment and specific requirements.
  • The planting and sowing period runs from September to November.
  • Low-maintenance: mowing is only necessary once a year, in November/December.