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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Patrick Barkham

‘I love it. It’s hope’: the mysterious self-willed wildflower meadow that seeded itself

Prof Carl Sayer reaching down to grasp some common centaury in the field
‘Everyone is planting and seeding wildflowers, but sometimes we’re not patient enough,’ said Carl Sayer. Photograph: Joshua Bright/The Guardian

Tucked away on a country lane, a small field bursts with yellow and pink flowers. Quail and whitethroats call from the thick hedges and the plants, including common centaury, yellow rattle and marsh and common spotted orchids, bounce with hoverflies and butterflies.

More than 150 plant species have been recorded on Sayer’s Old Meadow, in north Norfolk, England, which is remarkable when there was just one – oilseed rape – growing there 21 years ago.

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