Planting opinions please.

ando2891

Looking for suggestions as to what i could do with this area of garden in front of my house. Its very poor soil, infact there is no topsoil! The area is at least 1/2 an acre probably more like 3/4 of an acre!

I bought topsoil for a large garden area to the side of the house but id rather not have all this in grass as well as i dont fancy having to cut it all!!

Does anyone have any ideas of even previous experience in dealing with an area like this?

As you can see gorse is already starting to take over so i need to do something with it asap!

Thanks in advance.


https://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv327/fullathepipe_2009/IMG_0302_zpsfn3nnhjo.jpg

https://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv327/fullathepipe_2009/IMG_0300_zpsbetfcemf.jpg

https://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv327/fullathepipe_2009/IMG_0299_zpszpcq6r49.jpg

auspicious

Nice area for casting irish wildflower seeds.
You will have to strim it down tight before casting seeds so they find 'purchase'.
There are varying mixes for what types you'd like, based on colours for example. They attract bees and butterflies and are a pleasure.
You need to mow it only twice a year at least.

ando2891

Have you ever done this yourself? Sounds perfect but I’d worry about the gorse taking over! Would love to see a wildflower garden in the flesh.

auspicious

Yes I did it a couple of years ago . I don't have any gorse problems though. And no photos atm as I mowed it back to 4inches last week.
The thing is a lot of wildflowers only bloom in or around summer months + - . The rest of time it is just greenery and most people dont recognize them as anything other than weeds. So you may need to keep it looking tidy and that's something you don't want as you mentioned.
Do a little research and see what comes up.
Bees and butterflies are really attracted to purple and pink flowers.

I don't know why more gardeners and centres
everywhere don't always promote the attraction of these extremely necessary insects.
Without pollinators we're doomed.
Imagine every household having these flower types in their gardens. There wouldn't be such a decline in bee numbers.
Get some blue and purple buddleias for butterflies. They're cheap and very hardy.
Bees love Marigolds Poppies Roses Snowdrops Sunflowers Bluebells Honeysuckle.
There are different attractor flowers for summer and winter.

looksee

While I agree with your argument auspicious, the only plants that might survive in the OPs garden from your list are buddleia, poppy and maybe marigolds. It is very poor but some wild flowers would grow there. You need to get rid of most of the gorse - treat it with spot weedkiller then pull up the roots. Some plants that may do well would be weld, ox eye daisies, plantain.

Here is a useful site that gives various options https://www.flowerpotman.com/growing-a-wildflower-lawn/soil-wildflowers-grow-in/