VISITOR RESPONSE TO URBAN MEADOW
FLOWER DISPLAYS LEADS HEVER CASTLE TO
SELL ‘READY-MADE’ EUROFLOR PACKS
As a result of the “fantastic success” of course – which feature a wide range the plot as clean and clear as possible
its displays of Rigby Taylor’s Euroflor of flower species, attracting laudatory at the point of sowing. That said, we
urban meadow flower seed mixes, comments from visitors in person, in do also offer the ‘lay down and plant’
Kent-based stately home Hever Castle the local press and on social media. FloraFleece biodegradable matting
has not only expanded the total area Each display is accompanied by an Euroflor option, which eliminates the
planted this year to more than 5,000 information board about ‘creating need for extensive soil preparation.
m2, but it has also launched a retail your own meadow’.
scheme where ‘ready-to-sow’ flower
“This year’s weather has been
The Euroflor seed mixes (from Top completely different to that of 2018 -
visitors. Green, the largest seed producer in we’ve had so much rain and a lot less
Europe) were selected in terms of sun than we did in May and June last
The meadow flower project on the being ‘best fit’ options in terms of year. So, not surprisingly, the results
400-acre estate, which includes an colour and height, as well as in texture have been very different.
adjoining golf course, was initiated last and form, and Rob says particular year by Hever Castle Golf Club’s head success has been enjoyed with four greenkeeper Rob Peers to “encourage mixes - Meadow Breeze, Rainbow visitors to both the golf course and the Annuals, Bleuet de France and Classic estate to fully enjoy and be immersed that give displays that will last by and engaged with the complete through the summer and into October/ site”. November. down and plant’ matting package
He says the project “has been an Commenting, he says: “The main achieve colourful displays.”
seed kits are available for purchase by
overwhelming success” with the lesson we took from our experience
nine meadow areas – throughout the last year was that preparation is the
castle grounds and on areas of the golf key to success: it is imperative to have
68
Landscape & Urban Design Issue 39 2019
“But visitor reaction has again been
very positive and in response to many
enquirers’ asking ‘how can we have
similar displays’, we now offer ‘ready
to sow’ seed packs as well as the ‘lay
– both with instructions - for easy-to-
www.rigbytaylor.com