Imagine relaxing in your own meadow, surrounded by beautiful flowers and butterflies, listening to the sleepy buzzing of bees and the swishing of grasses in a gentle breeze. This could be a reality for almost anyone – with a bit of help from English Nature.

The Government’s independent wildlife advisor has published a new leaflet called ‘Wildflower meadows: how to create one in your garden.’

Meadows are a wonderful way of encouraging wildlife and provide great enjoyment to the gardener with the extra sights, sounds and scents that they bring.

From the striking bright blue and violet meadow cranesbill, to yellow oat-grass and honey-scented lady’s bedstraw, English Nature’s leaflet contains a host of choices to inspire you.

Over the last 60 years, most of our wildflower-rich meadows have been lost, mainly due to changes in farming practice, but just a few square metres is enough to create one of your own.

Clare Pinches, English Nature lowland grassland ecologist, said: “Many gardeners have asked us how to create a meadow, so now we can help them to get started. With a little effort, a meadow is an excellent way of attracting new wildlife to your garden, and can be a source of inspiration and pleasure to the gardener for years to come.”

The leaflet gives guidance on how to create a meadow, starting with preparation of the ground, deciding which seeds to sow and where to get them. It features a handy table of grasses and wild flowers from which species can be selected depending on the characteristics of your chosen area. Information is also provided on when to sow and aftercare. You can even try your hand at traditional hay making, at the right time of year.

As well as increasing the variety of wildflowers and grasses, a meadow also benefits birds, small mammals and insects, like the gatekeeper butterfly and the meadow grasshopper. The leaflet identifies which species are food plants for butterflies and which are particularly good nectar sources for insects.

For further information on gardening for wildlife, see the Nature in the Garden pages on English Nature’s website www.english-nature.org.uk

Copies of the leaflets are available from English Nature’s Enquiry service on 01733 455000, Two Ten Communications Ltd. on 0870 1214 177, or you can pick one up from the English Nature stand at Gardeners’ World Live from June 16 to 20.