Editorial

Security

Politics

World

Letters

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

  by Gwen Herat

Sri Lanka is blessed with an abundance of exquisite wild flowers but they are lost in the wilderness. Why not create our own meadows with these beautiful wild flowers instead of modern breeds? The wild flowers available here are exquisite and they can be collected on a picnic hunt and displayed in your own meadow. It is unlikely that gardeners who have already established their gardens would be willing to create a meadow of wild flowers but those who are poised to lay out new gardens or are in the process of getting rid of all the plants that have become redundant can try this out.

This meadow you create could be the loveliest natural habitat adjoining your home where exotic plants, foliage and flowers, some of which are not yet identified, can be showcased much to the envy of your neighbours. They will naturally attract bees, butterflies and dragonflies who are not seen in our gardens due to the use of pesticides.

A meadow will have to be created using organic manure and without pesticides and pest diseases that are associated with all garden foliage. It is a challenge to return to nature. In the past decades, Sri Lanka has lost a staggering amount of wild flowers due to border lands being opened up for chena cultivation as well as for industries. Except for the reserves of the Sinharaja forests, our exotic flora is on the decline and this is the reason gardeners can come to their rescue by opening up mini-meadows instead of the formal gardens, striking a balance. It is well known that intensive farming has accelerated this decline.

At the present rate of destruction of wilderness areas, a walk through a meadow will only be a dream for our future generations. They will certainly miss the gorgeous butterflies in their array of stunning colours. It is the gardeners who can recreate those rare places and hold on to the magic in their own garden plots. This is the power they are blessed with, but, how many of us dare replace the garden with a meadow and invite wildlife to live with us? They will be supporting the rich varieties of plants, insects, birds and wildhare.

There are also small mammals that depend on trees for their survival. As much as we take from nature, we have to give back generously for habitat existence.Meadows require very little or no maintenance and can be developed in a section of the garden. If you want your meadow to be a success, you must be prepared to spend sometime on it as early stages are vital. For it to reach its full potential prepare the patch correctly.

Scattering wildflowers seed is not the answer to a meadow. Though it does not require much attention, it is best to use a neglected lawn or a stubborn patch in the garden. Wild flowers flourish in infertile, nutrient poor soil where they do not have to compete with other plants for food but are happily in line with invasive grasses and at times overtaking them too. You have nothing to worry of nutrient or fertiliser supply or use of pesticides. They are hardy enough to survive on their own.

Nature's way - Remove about 10 cm. of top soil and lightly dig or rake out a seed bed if you are using seed. Otherwise, plant a mixture of wildflower clumps, seedlings and root balls from any plant in the meadow. You can collect many flowering plants and foliage from vacant lots and village pathways, not necessarily from the wilds alone. Many estates have wild plants growing in between their crops. Use grasses that are not invasive for gap filling.

Our local 'Minimal' in two colours of white and purple are good exhibits for meadows. There are certain seed varieties that take years to propagate after being in hibernation. Suddenly, you will see a breathtaking flush of plants that will amaze you. That is the secret of wild flowers. Once planted, patience is required because many take as much as a year to germinate. Quicker results are obtained by potting wild flowers.

Sounds crazy isn't it?. they are equally attractive as your mini roses. You will find that most wild flowers are small and contain a deep purple, almost bordering blue which you will never discover in normal garden plants except perhaps Hydrangea.

When I walk in our estate in the mornings, I discover beautiful bluish tiny flowers running wild all over. Then there are the pristine white flowers that look like stars fallen the previous night. I have also discovered red flowers that are long and streaked in white and I wonder what the botanists call them. The yellow ones are heavenly but they are all very tiny which is why gardeners never look at them. These wild flowers are our very own and they have our own identity. Maybe it is only a day-dreamer like me who notices these gems.

The delicate and colourful wild flowers gently swaying in the breeze will be an attractive focal point in the garden with a community of butterflies vying with them in their mottled whites and multicolours.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager