Inspired by the idea of doing something positive for their local environment, Yvette Verner and her husband Mike bought a small field close to their home in the south of England. With the bountiful assistance of nature they created a flower meadow which attracts a rich variety of wildlife, including badgers, deer and a multitude of birds and butterflies. In this book Yvette tells the story of their meadow: how they designed the layout, selected and planted wild flowers, trees and hedges and spent many absorbing hours wildlife-watching. Meadows such as theirs support large populations of plants, insects, birds and other animals, and are extremely important in maintaining the ecological diversity of our countryside. Many meadow species that farmers and gardeners consider to be weeds are host to other forms of wildlife: the modest oxeye daisy alone supports over twenty species of insect!
"The meadow is still flourishing and each year is delightful and different. It is particularly wonderful to see our four grandchildren enjoying it so much."
- Mike Verner, Yvette's husband
A webpage of photos of the meadow accompanies this book on:
https://www.greenbooks.co.uk/wildflowermeadow
"A guidebook rolled up into a love letter… Filled with the rhythms of the meadow and the creatures and plants that find a home there."
- Jane Powers, award-winning author of The Living Garden
"This book, full of practical conservation advice, opens the door to the mighty adventure of creating a meadow. It’s about being playful, hopeful, and sharing and celebrating the extraordinary things which can happen."
- Eden Project, The National Wildflower Centre
Yvette Verner
Yvette Verner and her husband have loved and cared for half an acre of meadow in East Sussex for many years. She donates half her royalties from this book to Plantlife International, the leading charity dedicated to the conservation of wild plants in their natural habitats.