British Wild Flowers …Flora Local

Flora locale, the charity that promotes the restoration of wild plants for biodiversity, landscapes and people, is calling for more British wild flowers and trees to be grown in British gardens.
“We are campaigning for British wild flowers and trees in our gardens and public open spaces to create species-rich habitats that are very attractive to butterflies and other insects an offer a variety of nectar-rich plants,” says Sue Clarke from Flora locale.
“We believe there is always room for native wild flowers! Even in small spaces annual wild flowers can create colourful borders. Individual plants such as teasel, juniper or wild angelica can be used to add structure. Woodland plants like early dog-violet and wood anemone can solve the problem of those difficult shady areas. Native wild plants support native insects and their presence plays a part in the conservation of our wildlife.”
This summer Flora locale is running workshops as part of its campaign for more areas of species rich grasslands to be re-created so that they are attractive to butterflies and other insects.
Seed collecting and use for restoration and re-introduction
Wednesday 6 July, Wakehurst Place, West Sussex
Michael Way, Millennium Seed Bank, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew with the Weald Meadows Initiative will facilitate this event, which will review the science and practice of collecting, preservation and use of high quality seed samples for subsequent multiplication ex-situ. Using semi-natural habitats at Wakehurst Place, seed will be collected and quality-assessed by participants in the Millennium Seed Bank laboratories. During the afternoon, grassland enhancement techniques and initial results will be demonstrated. Seed specification, sowing rates, site preparation, seed sowing, plug planting and conservation management, including grazing, will be considered.
Management of wildflower grassland
Thursday 30 June, Aberdeenshire
John Malster will facilitate this event at Haddo Country Park to explore the introduction and management of wild plants in variety of habitats such as amenity grassland, meadow, pasture and woodland glades. The meadows range from a 200-year old species-rich grassland to a
20-year old wildflower grassland. This event is suitable for those who look after wildflower meadows and those who wish to restore wildflower grassland or start from scratch.
These events are part of a training programme of 28 events across the UK during 2011, each one designed for people involved in the design, management and restoration of landscapes for biodiversity, whether on a farm, smallholding, new urban development, village green, city park, school grounds, and even a Zoological Park!
To book on these workshops and find out about other Flora locale training events (summary below) go to www.floralocale.org and click on Training & Events 2011, or email info@floralocale.org.

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