Growing British Wildflowers on the Farm
- Plas Uchaf
- May 31
- 3 min read
A journal from Plas Uchaf Farm – Late May, Ruthin and Home Again
Today we took a slow morning to visit Nantclwyd y Dre in Ruthin, a charming little town and one of our favourite day trips from the farm. It’s the oldest timbered town house in Wales, full of beautiful historical original features and restored rooms, but this time we headed straight for the garden.
They were holding a small plant sale, with tables of native wildflowers. We picked up some common knapweed, oxeye daisy, common bird’s-foot trefoil, red clover, red campion, and cat’s eye to try back at the farm. The sellers were full of knowledge, and I loved learning more about how these native species support pollinators and local biodiversity. It struck me how much knowledge is passed gently from one hand to another, just like the delicate seeds.
What’s the Connection Between Nantclwyd y Dre and Plas Uchaf Farm?
If you have read our previous posts, or followed us on social media @plas.uchaf, you will know that both Natclwyd y Dre and Plas Uchaf were once in the care of the Wynne family, Edward and John Wynne, whose influence can still be felt in the land and buildings they tended. It’s a comforting thought, imagining them tending gardens and walking these same hill paths centuries ago. History, here, feels alive in the soil.
Can You Grow British Wildflowers Without Chemicals?
Back home at Plas Uchaf Farm, we’ve been trying to let nature lead. Since shifting to a no-input approach (no artificial fertilisers or pesticides) on our farmland we’ve begun to see the land speak back. The results aren’t instant, but they are honest.
We’ve watched buttercups reappear in the orchard, where we’ve let the grass grow long. Wood anemones quietly returned to the woodlands we fenced off from stock in 2018. Foxgloves beside the pond and along the wall edges, and this spring brought a glorious spread of cuckooflowers and the brightest dandelion fields we've ever seen!
It’s not manicured, and we can’t promise blooms on demand. But the wildness is beautiful.
How Do Wildflowers Help the Environment?
British wildflowers are more than just a pretty backdrop for Instagram (though we do take a fair few photos ourselves!). They are part of the life support system of our landscape.
Pollen and nectar feed bees (including our own honeybees!), butterflies, and other pollinators
Deep roots help stabilise soil and manage water
Seed heads and foliage support birds and insects, they are nature's larder
Diverse species strengthen the whole ecosystem, especially in rural areas shaped by centuries of grazing and farming
Even a few wildflower patches can restore balance, on a farm, a verge, garden or even a balcony. With this in mind, we have planted wildflowers around the shepherd's hut and in sections of our 17th century walled garden.
What Can I Do to Support the Environment on Holiday?
It doesn’t need to be complicated. Look for places where people are working with nature, not against it. Choose stays that tread lightly, honour local heritage, and allow the land to breathe.
When you visit Plas Uchaf, you’re stepping into that slower rhythm. You’ll notice it in the swallows sweeping over the field margins, the stone walls warmed by the sun, the soft hush of sheep grazing. Your stay supports our journey toward regenerative farming, traditional craft, and biodiversity restoration.
Looking for a Wildflower Farm Stay in North Wales?
Our handcrafted shepherd’s hut is now open for bookings. Sensitively placed into the heart of our traditional Welsh hill farm, it’s a space to slow down, breathe deep, and reconnect with nature.
No guarantees of perfect flower shows, but if you visit in season, you might catch the hum of bees in the red clover or see foxgloves gently bowing in the breeze.
Just 30 minutes from Historic Ruthin, 20 minutes from Denbigh
A sixth-generation authentic working Welsh farm
Wildflower sightings from April to August
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