Seedball on mission to bring native wildflowers back to the UK

In response to the devastating news that one in six native UK species is at risk of extinction, and reports that over half of Britain’s plant species are now non-native, disruptive brand Seedball is on a mission to bring back native flora. The wildflower specialist is on a quest to encourage people to appreciate all the fantastic qualities of British flowers, and to grow more in their own gardens and outside areas.

The findings of the Plant Atlas 2020 show that of the almost 3,500 plant species currently present in Britain, non-native plants now outnumber native species by 51 per cent to 49 per cent, as a result of centuries of introductions from overseas. More than half of the Britain’s native plants are in decline, while introduced plants are thriving. Certain habitats have borne the brunt of this decline, such as wildflower meadows, wetlands and peatland. According to the Woodland Trust, native plants support significantly more wildlife than non-native species. They are adapted to the local climate, soil type and wildlife and without them, native wildlife would not be sustained.

Dr Emily Lambert, one of the founders of Seedball, has said that all is not lost though, and we can all play our part in helping British wildflowers to thrive again.

Emily said: “Wildflowers aren’t just pretty – they also play a vital part in our ecosystem, providing bees, butterflies and other pollinators with food throughout the year. In fact, on a single day in summer, one acre of wildflower meadow can contain three million flowers, producing one kg of nectar sugar – enough to support nearly 96,000 honeybees per day.

“With the news that UK wildflowers are in decline, of course we want to help people to do all they can bring these beautiful and essential flowers into their outdoor spaces. The good news is that it’s not a difficult task – scattering some of our seedballs is a fantastic way to encourage a plethora of native wildflowers to bloom. From brilliant blue cornflowers, delicate primroses, nectar-rich foxgloves, iconic poppies and pretty red campion, each wildflower brings with it unique properties that play a vital part in our ecosystem.”

Seedball has developed a unique way in which to protect scattered seeds until they are ready to look after themselves, creating a mini ecosystem and giving them nutrition as they germinate and grow. The balls are made from a combination of British wildflower seeds, clay to protect from predators such as birds and ants, peat-free compost to provide nutrition, and a little bit of chilli powder to deter slugs and snails. There’s no need for gardening skills, simply throw the balls onto soil or compost in a garden bed or planter in spring or autumn, and wait. The seedball has everything it needs to grow and, once the ball becomes moist and the temperature is right, the seeds will germinate! What could be easier?

Emily continued: “Many people think of springtime as the optimum time to scatter seeds, but actually we suggest that autumn is the best season to scatter seedballs as they are full of native seeds, which tend to do better sown in autumn. The cooler months allow dormant seeds within to stratify naturally and stay protected, preserving their energy and hardening to the cooler conditions. Once the warm air of spring arrives, the germination process is triggered, and the plant will begin growing outwards with a stronger and sturdier foundation.”

With a huge variety of seeds to choose from - whether it’s to add a patch of vibrant colour to a window box, create a sanctuary for bumblebees, or to re-wild a garden - the only hard part is selecting which varieties to go for!

Those wanting to encourage British wildflowers have so many options to choose from, including:

Set of 5 flowers – RRP £26.50 (down from £32.50)

With shades of verdant blue from cornflowers, white and yellow from daisies, vibrant red from poppies, dusky lilac from forget-me-nots and pretty pinkish-purple from red campions, this collection of five Seedball tubes will all attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Simply scatter, water and watch them grow!

Foragers Mix – RRP £6.50

An exciting foray for Seedball into the world of edible flowers, this mixture contains Primrose, Shepherd’s Purse, Wild garlic, Borage, Red clover, Pignut and Lady’s Smock to add year-round food to any sized garden, balcony, or even a window box! These seedballs can be scattered any time until late Autumn.

Garden Meadow Grab Bag – RRP £15.00

Wildflower lovers will adore this grab bag of 100 seedballs, containing a colourful combination of hardy annuals and perennials – perfect for enticing pollinators like butterflies and bumblebees. These grab bags are fantastic for covering larger areas and can bloom well even in more polluted areas, so are great for re-wilding road verges. Scatter this autumn and watch beautiful wildflowers begin to bloom next year!

 Bird Mix – RRP £6.50

Another great option to scatter in the autumn is Seedball’s Bird Mix, which is designed to encourage birds which will feed on the plant and seeds – as well as insects also attracted to the wildflowers. This careful selection of plants will boost the food supply for birds such as goldfinches, blue tits, chaffinches and robins – meaning a veritable riot of reds, yellows and purples from the flowers, as well as the welcome addition of feathered friends.

A simple scattering of seedballs today will result in a brighter, wilder tomorrow!

To find out more about Seedball visit https://seedball.co.uk/

You can also find Seedball on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Ends

Editors notes

Seedball was founded by two conservation scientists wanting to boost biodiversity and help wildlife.

Seedball Ltd is an innovative organisation on a mission to help increase the abundance of British wildflowers and the wildlife that depends upon them.

Owned by Project Maya – a non-profit enterprise - Seedball manufactures wildflower seed balls using a unique innovation of wildflower seeds mixed with clay, peat-free compost and chilli powder to naturally protect seeds from predators. Its products are sold in over 500 stores in the UK, including Kew Gardens, The Woodland Trust and Blue Diamond Garden Centres, as well as online retailers such as Crocus and Marie Curie. Each year, Seedball also donates products to hundreds of schools and community groups to help support their nature projects.