Swansea’s roadside wildflowers set to be blooming marvellous say council

Sections of Swansea will be coming up rosy this summer as the council’s wildflower planting initiative starts to bear fruit.

Residents and visitors will get the chance to enjoy a feast for the eyes as pollinating insects relish a feast on roadside verges, roundabouts, parks and rough ground.

Valley Way in the Enterprise Zone, the Morriston Park trail and the long stretch between Civic Centre and West Cross will all feature colourful arrays following planting in the area in the past few months.

As well as that the council has been reducing the amount of grass cutting it does in parks and open spaces to encourage insects to take over and encourage native flora and fauna.

Mark Thomas, Cabinet Member for Environment Enhancement and Infrastructure Management, said: “We know how popular our wildflower scheme is. As the pioneers of this approach to managing our environment, over the years we’ve had lots of praise from residents and it’s been copied by other councils all over Wales and the UK.

“Last year we weren’t able to do as much because of the pandemic, but as we emerge from it this year people will see more wildflowers springing up around their neighbourhoods.

“Our parks teams have been out over the last few weeks and some people have noticed preparation and seed sowing along roadside verges such as Carmarthen Road.

“We’re anticipating all this work will result in a blaze of colour by the end of July and August.”

Cllr Thomas said that grass mowing on some roadside verges is essential in places to improve lines of sight for motorists and visibility of traffic. But some areas of parkland will remain uncut to encourage biodiversity and promote pollinator corridors for insects.

Cllr Thomas said: “If you’re visiting your local park or the prom area this summer we’re anticipating you’ll have have a little more colour to enjoy. As always we’d appeal to visitors to take their rubbish and dog mess home with them.”

(Lead image: Swansea Council)