OUTCO – Expertly Planted Native Wildflowers

OUTCO isn’t just about maintenance, we’re also about creating outdoor spaces that benefit both our clients and the environment. That’s why we’re enthusiastic about bespoke wildflower areas we have created for various clients. Our expertly planted native wildflower areas transform barren spaces into vibrant islands, meadows and strips bursting with life, supporting your ecological credentials.

Wildflower islands are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they are also havens for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, helping to boost biodiversity on your estate. The benefits don’t stop there. Wildflower areas require minimal watering and fertilising, significantly reducing your water usage and carbon footprint. Plus, say goodbye to weekly maintenance! With various attractive low maintenance options, you’ll save time, money, and the planet. So, add an estate feature that works in harmony with nature, while creating a stunning, low-maintenance wildlife haven that also impresses your visitors.

Wildflower Benefits

• Flowers attract pollinators. One of the most important benefits of growing wildflowers is that they attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. By planting wildflowers, you can help support local pollinator populations and contribute to the conservation of these critical species.
• Wildflowers support biodiversity. Growing them on your estate can help support local biodiversity. Wildflowers are beautiful, but creating a sustainable garden is the most significant benefit of planting wildflowers.
• Reduced maintenance. Wildflowers are often easier to care for than traditional formal beds. They are well-adapted to their native growing conditions and require less water and fertiliser than many other plants. This makes them an ideal choice for estates that want to create a beautiful, low-maintenance space without a lot of fuss.
• Cost-effective. Wildflowers are often less expensive than traditional bedding plants, making them a cost-effective choice for facilities on a budget. We purchase wildflower seeds in bulk, which will help reduce the cost of establishing a new wildflower garden in further years.
• Soil conservation. Wildflowers have deep root systems that help prevent soil erosion. They absorb excess water and nutrients, which reduces runoff and soil loss. By planting wildflowers, you can help maintain the health of the soil in your estate, and protect it from erosion. This not only helps the wildflowers thrive but also other plants and even your lawn. Nothing grows for long if the soil degrades and wildflowers can help keep that from happening.

Wildflower Planting Results

Our wildflower planting, using mixes specially formulated as high-quality, maximum-impact mixtures designed for amenity spaces, was designed for maximum floral impact, incorporating both wildflower and garden flowering species. Our wildflower areas provided a spectacular display in year 1 with species such as Foxglove and Sweet William flowering in year 2. The planting not only improved visual merit, but restored critical habitats for insects, small mammals and the bird populations.

The OUTCO wildflower projects satisfied our client desires to bring aesthetic appeal their public spaces, while providing valuable habitat and a source of food to a variety of wildlife. For butterflies, bees and other pollinators, they provided a valuable source of pollen and nectar at a time when many areas of their natural environment are under threat, and for clients they provided an affordable project that visibly enhanced their eco credentials with visitors, staff and suppliers alike.

Wildflower Maintenance

In conservation areas, OUTCO adopts two-cut management. These areas receive a first cut and are not be cut again until September. On the second cut we remove the arisings.
For meadow lawns we adopt summer and autumn cut management. Such areas receive a first cut in Spring and do not get cut now until August. They are then cut monthly after August and on the following cuts the arisings are collected. 1-metre amenity strips receive their first cut in May and then every month. They are managed under a cut and fly regime and the area is cleared on the last cut of the season. Amenity lawns receive regular cuts. Such areas have receive a first cut and are then cut regularly on a fortnightly PPM visit.

Download OUTCO Wildflower Case Study