Our maze is a flower meadow made up of native plants. Native plants are those that occur naturally in the region in which they evolved.
We allow the plants to flower and seed before mowing and allowing the seeds to disperse. Volunteers rake up the hay, which makes the soil less fertile, helping the flowers compete with grasses. This way there is no need to re-sow annually, making it sustainable.
Choosing a wide assortment of plants ensures a biodiverse habitat resilient to climate change. Because they are adapted to local conditions, they don’t require watering or artificial fertilizer.
Plants are the only organisms that can capture the suns energy and turn it into food. They provide food for insects and animals, and are the basis for many medicines.
Insect herbivores are often specialised to eat only a few kinds of plants they have co-evolved with, making native plants essential to their survival.
97% of Britain’s wildflower meadows have been lost since the 1940’s. Around a third of the total 1,346 plant species in Britain are endangered.
This can be reversed if we provide more wildflower habitat. All projects large and small can contribute to a better environment, why not try it in your garden?
Abingdon’s Wildflower Maze was established by Abingdon Carbon Cutters in 2015 with the help of members of the Abingdon Green Gym.
You can find it in Abingdon’s Abbey Meadows: