Wildflowers taking hold in Rugby

Rugby Borough Council's parks team now deliberately sow wildflower meadows, with the new Western relief road being the latest location to benefit from this style of planting.

The flowers are part of a long term strategy to increase the biodiversity of some of the grass verges in Rugby. The idea for wildflower planting was first trialled in Sheffield a number of years ago and was brought to public attention with the spectacular wildflower and perennial planting at the Olympic Park in London.

The wildflowers currently flourishing on the relief road are golden tickseed, coreopsis and African daisies along with with poppies, cornflowers and other native flowers - and are already proving popular with passing motorists.

Cllr Dr Mark Williams, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for sustainable environment, said: "We're very fortunate in Rugby, having some spectacular wildflower meadows at Draycote Meadows, Ashlawn Cutting and Brandon Marsh.

"But these roadside verges are an effective way to increase the area of meadowland in the borough and help support bees by providing species rich in pollen for them.

"And, of course, they look stunning too. We've already received compliments from members of the public who have said they like it and would like to see more."