A mix of wildflower seeds and bulbs are being planted at Carleton Clinic in Carlisle which will provide a biodiversity boost to the site. The flowers chosen will make for an attractive year-round display which can be enjoyed by patients, staff, and visitors alike. The meadow is being created by NTW Solutions who manage the site for Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.
Please bear with us while this work takes place as the site may not be as well tended as you would normally expect. The seeds and bulbs will need to be planted and then any grass will not be cut for longer periods than normal. The benefits will be significant with flowers to be enjoyed by all, including local wildlife.
The seeds and bulbs have been carefully selected to provide maximum benefit for pollinators as well as delivering a year-round display which include:
A bee mix – which will flower from February through to May and includes crocuses, chionodoxas, scillas, muscaris and tulips.
A colour mix – where early-flowering yellow and orange Narcissus are followed by white Narcissus. These two flowering periods are followed by a third, consisting of blue Camassias. When those have finished flowering a beautiful display of purple flowering alliums will extend the flowering period through into June.
The seeds and bulbs are from an expert Dutch supplier which has worked hard to improve the sustainability of their growing and distribution process and have been selected for their suitability for the conditions and the needs of wildlife.
The work is being overseen by NTW Solutions and is part of a range of improvements we have made since taking on responsibility for the site. We will be sharing more information as the project continues with photos of the work and the resulting wildflower meadows.
