On a warm summer’s day, we were delighted to welcome Sarah and Charles Flower to Harmony Woods (The Diamond Wood) to carry out a baseline botanical survey of the area that will soon become our new wildflower meadow, due to be planted in October.

The visit focused on two key areas: the Main Meadow (Fenced Area) and the Side Meadow (Open Area). The aim was to assess the current plant diversity and guide our future actions to enhance biodiversity.

🌿 Findings

Main Meadow – Fenced Area
A rich and encouraging variety of wildflowers was recorded here, showing that the meadow is already developing good ecological value. Notable species included Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis), Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium verum), and Goat’s Beard (Tragopogon pratensis). The full species list is as follows:

Black medick (Medicago lupulina)
Common centaury (Centaurium erythraea)
Common vetch (Vicia sativa)
Cut-leaved cranesbill (Geranium dissectum)
Goat’s beard (Tragopogon pratensis)
Greater plantain (Plantago major)
Hawkbit sp. (Leontodon or Scorzoneroides spp.)
Lady’s bedstraw (Galium verum)
Oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
Pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis)
Red clover (Trifolium pratense)
Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris)
St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Tufted vetch (Vicia cracca)
Wild carrot (Daucus carota)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Side Meadow – Open Area
This area is showing promising signs of natural regeneration. Wild Basil (Clinopodium vulgare) and Bitter Fleabane (Erigeron acer) were among the interesting species found. The developing flora includes:

Bitter fleabane (Erigeron acer)
Black medick (Medicago lupulina)
Cut-leaved cranesbill (Geranium dissectum)
Goat’s beard (Tragopogon pratensis)
Hairy tare (Vicia hirsuta)
Hawkbit sp. (Leontodon or Scorzoneroides spp.)
Oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
Wild basil (Clinopodium vulgare)
Wild carrot (Daucus carota)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

🌱 Recommendations from Sarah and Charles

Ground Preparation: Avoid rotavating before planting in autumn, as this could disturb the already well-establishing diversity. Autumn planting with 9 cm pots is recommended, while plug plants are best saved for spring, when they have a better chance of establishing.
Weed Management: Minimise seed spread of dominant species such as hogweed and docks. These should be cut, bagged, and removed from the site before they go to seed.

We’re incredibly grateful to Sarah and Charles for their expertise and guidance, and we’re looking forward to continuing this project to enrich the biodiversity of Harmony Woods. Watch this space as we move into the next exciting phase of meadow creation later this year!

— The Andover Trees United Team 🌸