Call us: 01423 369730
Email us: sales@johnchamberswildflowers.co.uk
Call us: 01423 369730
Email us: sales@johnchamberswildflowers.co.uk
Case study
Project: Burncross Community Garden Wildflower Meadow
Location: Burncross, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Date: August 2019
About
Burncross is a residential neighbourhood located just outside Sheffield city centre, bordered by open countryside, farmland and woodland. Despite its proximity to green spaces, parts of the local area contained underused and neglected land that offered little benefit to residents or wildlife.
The Burncross Action Team, a dedicated group of local volunteers, was established to improve the appearance, usability and environmental value of the neighbourhood. Through hands-on projects and community engagement, the group works to create greener, more welcoming spaces that bring people together.
In 2017, as part of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Greening Great Britain initiative, the Burncross Action Team identified a forgotten ‘grey spot’—a former council depot site previously used for material storage—as an opportunity for transformation. The ambition was to convert this unattractive area into a vibrant community garden and wildflower meadow that would support biodiversity, engage local schools and create a point of pride for residents.
To help realise this vision, the Burncross Action Team approached John Chambers Wildflower Seed for expert advice and the supply of suitable wildflower seed mixes capable of thriving in challenging urban ground conditions.
Our Contribution
Following an initial assessment, it was clear that the site presented several challenges. Years of use as a storage area had left the ground with a high salt content, making careful species selection essential to ensure successful establishment.
Taking these conditions into account, the John Chambers Wildflower Seed team supplied a combination of John Chambers Pro Cornfield Annuals Rich 100% Wildflower Seed Mix and John Chambers Pro Coastal 100% Wildflower Seed Mix, sufficient to cover approximately 500m². These professional-grade mixes were selected for their adaptability, resilience and ability to perform well across a wide range of soil types, including more difficult or nutrient-affected ground.
The John Chambers Pro range has been specifically designed for professional installers and community projects alike, featuring a carefully balanced selection of commonly found wildflower species. These mixes are well suited to urban landscapes, delivering strong visual impact while creating valuable habitats that encourage pollinators and other wildlife.
Site preparation and sowing became a true community effort. Volunteers from the Burncross Action Team were joined by pupils from Ecclesfield School and Windmill Hill Primary School, providing valuable hands-on learning opportunities alongside practical environmental action. Together, they prepared the ground, sowed the seed and helped shape the future of the space.
To further enhance biodiversity, the group also constructed a ‘super bug hotel’, offering shelter and nesting opportunities for insects and invertebrates, and reinforcing the site’s role as a wildlife-friendly haven within the urban landscape.
The results of the project have been both immediate and long-lasting. The annual wildflowers established quickly, delivering a vibrant and colourful display in the first summer following sowing. As expected, the perennial species took longer to establish, coming into flower the following year and adding depth, structure and species diversity to the meadow.
By 2018, the quality of the wildflower display was such that Burncross Gateway Garden was awarded the Britain In Bloom 2018 Platinum Award, a significant achievement for a community-led project. The meadow has continued to evolve year on year, with increasing biodiversity, extended flowering periods and growing visual impact.
Beyond its aesthetic value, the wildflower meadow has delivered meaningful social and environmental benefits. Maintenance requirements have remained relatively low, consisting mainly of an annual mid-summer cut and occasional weeding to remove undesirable species—an approach that is both practical and sustainable for volunteer-led groups.
Now in its fourth year, the project stands as a strong example of what can be achieved when communities, schools and specialist suppliers work together. Supported by the RHS Greening Great Britain programme, backed by M&G Investments, the Burncross Community Garden continues to inspire local pride while demonstrating the power of wildflowers to transform unloved spaces into thriving, biodiverse environments.
Our Work
See how our seed mixes perform in the field, from national infrastructure schemes to habitat restoration and landscape design.
*The figures provided by the calculator are a guide only, we advise contacting one of our specification team to discuss your project requirements in full.
*The figures provided by the calculator are a guide only, we advise contacting one of our specification team to discuss your project requirements in full.
*The figures provided by the calculator are a guide only, we advise contacting one of our specification team to discuss your project requirements in full.
