Town to adopt wildflower initiative

Following widespread praise for an English council’s policy of not over cutting its verges and planting wild flowers, Welshpool says it expects to follow suit.

Rotherham council claims to have saved £20,000 a year through its River of Colour scheme by planting eight miles’ worth of wildflowers on their central reservations (pictured from Facebook), which they have left to overgrow this summer producing a blaze of colour.

Welshpool Town Council says it has already bought its seeds and will look to scatter over the public areas under its control.

“Wildflower planting is one of the ideas we are looking to implement under our Climate Change Policy,” said a spokesperson. “We have already implemented a number of initiatives but will continue to see what more we can do to make a difference.”

The town is looking to hold a Welshpool in Bloom next year, and is also identifying areas where more trees can be planted.

Rotherham Council chose Pictorial Meadows mixes since they include both native and selected non-native flower wildflowers which provide an extended period of nectar, flowers and seeds that are food sources for many pollinating insects, birds and even some mammals.