The following is a reproduction of an article that appeared in the March 2005 issue of 'The Shropshire' Magazine.

Since she bears the name of a flower, it comes as no surprise to learn that Iris Lee-Emery has more than a passing interest in gorgeous blooms. But in fact, her skill lies not so much with the colourful end product, but with those tiny packages of promise: seeds.

Now she has launched a new Shropshire business - Forever Wild Seeds - and has been stunned by its immediate success. Although the company is barely six months old, she has already had to take on three new staff to cope with demand. 'The response has been amazing', she says. 'I have even had enquiries from the USA and Australia!'.

Based near Oswestry, the company's unique offering allows even non-gardeners to reproduce the glories of the English Countryside in their own back yards. 'The British just love their wild flowers, especially as so many are in danger of disappearing from our countryside, and in the last few years there has been growing interest in them among local authorities and other organisations', Iris explains.

'People recognise that wild flowers are endangered and beautiful and are increasingly keen to include them in their gardens, while many local councils, companies and other organisations are starting to introduce them to office gardens, roadside verges, roundabouts and public spaces.

Until now, the problem facing anyone wanting to plant wild flowers has been obtaining the seed and growing it successfully. However, using unique technology Forever Wild Seeds has overcome these problems by providing seed in a pelletted form.

As production manager Simon Stewart explains: 'The seeds come inside an organic pellet which provides everything that the seeds need to grow - like a womb. You just scatter the seeds, and Mother Nature does the rest.'

The pellets can be sown onto freshly dug, weed-free soil and even into' established lawns or grassed areas which have been raked to provide some patches of bare earth.

This allows easy re-establishment of wild flowers into our hedgerow, meadows, embankments and woodland areas, enhancing the habitat for insects, butterflies, bees and birds, as well as for people, and saves time and labour against traditional methods, making it a cost effective option for councils and other bodies.

In fact, you may already have seen wild flowers grown using this method as the system was trialled last summer on several of Telford's Roundabouts!

The system has enormous potential to be extended beyond wild flowers, with 'Throw and Grow!' kitchen herbs currently under development, as well as pelletted kale seed which is ideal for establishing game coverts in difficult-to-cultivate landscape areas.