Northern Ireland’s traditional flower-rich meadows (hay meadows/semi-natural grasslands) are unique because of our geography, climate and traditional management practices. They are an integral part of our cultural and natural heritage. Our meadows support more flowering plants than any other Northern Ireland habitat type. Because of the diversity of flowering plants they in turn support an array of pollinating insects including bees, butterflies and moths. True hay meadows have now largely disappeared because of major changes in agricultural practices but road verges and amenity open space grasslands can be managed in such a way as to replicate hay meadow habitat.
