Barton Glebe Wildflowers

Wildflowers at Barton Glebe

A Guide to Wildflower Planting at Barton Glebe

Barton Glebe is a very special environment. Although man-made, the aim is to create as natural a woodland as possible. All the trees are native not only to Britain, but to this very specific location. The Glades in which the burials take place are just open meadows amongst the trees.

For this reason, ONLY BRITISH WILD FLOWERS can be planted. Native plants are usually less 'showy' than their tivated cousins but they're often tougher so fare better and support a greater variety qf insects, moths and butterflies. . If you are in any doubt there are a number of wildflower guidebooks in the Lodge, including the Collins Complete Guide - British Wild Flowers.

Plants may be brought from home gardens [with only a little soil], bought from garden centres or wild flower internet sites or from Carole the plant lady. She comes to the Lodge on Wednesdays 11 - 12noon, other times by arrangement. Here are some general planting principles to follow.

Wait for settlement of the soil after the funeral. This may take time and will depend on the weather and type of soil.
Best time to plant is March/April or September/October. Plants grown in containers can be planted at other times providing the soil is friable and the weather is suitable. Seed should be sown following the instructions on the packet.
Remember some tools, such as a trowel, small garden fork, kneeler, watering receptacle.
Dig a hole larger than the plant, water the plant, and then water the hole. The tap is behind the lodge
Place the plant in the hole, fill the hole and firm around the plant
Water the plant and surrounding soil
Ideally come back to water the plants if there is no rain. Subsequent growth will depend on the weather and the wildlife

Plant damp/shade loving plants on the south side of glades, in the trees and along the tree lines. Plant sun- loving plants in the open, middle or on the north side of the glades. Due North is looking from the car park up the main ride.

PLEASE NOTE do not create a border around a grave, and do not bring potting compost because it might change the natural pH of the soil. Manicured graves are not acceptable so please do not clear away ALL of the growth because the weeds help retain moisture. All the graves will be mown once in late September. Any labels, ornaments, ribbons, messages, cards, toys and pebbles will be removed as will any plant that is NOT a native wild flower.

Permitted Flowers and Plants

Ajuga Reptans (Bugle) - Damp, semi-shady site.

Alchemilla Filicaulis (Ladys Mantle) - Any.

Allium (Ornamental Onions) - Sunny site.

Aquilegia Vulgaris (Columbine) - Damp, shady.

Colchicum (Autumn Crocus) - Sunny site.

Convallaria Majalis (Lily Of The Valley) - Shady.

Cyclamen Hederifolium (Hardy Cyclamen) - Dappled shade.

Digitalis Purpurea (Foxgloves) - Tolerates shade.

Echium Vulgare (Vipers Bugloss) - Any.

Eranthis Hyemalis (Winter Aconite) - Woods and shady places.

Erythronium Dens-Canis (Dogs Tooth Violet) - Semi shade.

Fritillaria (Snakeshead Fritillaries) - Grass, dappled shade and open woodland.

Galanthus Nivalis (Snowdrop) - Grass, dappled shade and open woodland.

Helleborus Foetidus (Hellebore) - Woodland, moist, dappled shade, drought-tolerant.

Hyacinthoides Non-Scripta (Bluebell) - Shade, woodland site.

Lamium (Dead Nettles, Mint Family) - Any.

Leucojum (Snowflakes) - Damp soil, shady site.

Lychnis Flos Cuculis (Ragged Robin) - Damp soil.

Malva Moschata (Musk Mallow) - Sunny site.

Myosotis Arvensis (Forget-Me-Not) - Sunny site.

Narcissus Pseudonarcissus (Wild Daffodil) - Grass, dappled shade and open woodland.

Nepeta × Faassenii (Catmint) - Sunny site.

Origanum Vulgare (Wild Marjoram) - Sunny site.

Polemonium Caeruleum (Jacobs Ladder) - Part shade, shade.

Polygonatum Multiflorum (Solomons Seal) - Part shade, shade, woodland.

Primula Veris (Cowslip) - Sunny site.

Primula Vulgaris (Primrose) - Part shade, shade moist soil, dappled shade.

Pulmonaria Augustifolium (Lungwort) - Sunny site, seeds.

Pulsatilla Vulgaris (Pasqueflower) - Part shade.

Tulipa Sylvestris (Wild Tulip) - Seeds, sunny.

Verbascum Thapsus (Mullein) - Shade.