NATIVE WILDFLOWER VERGES& meadows
We established the first native wildflower verge in Dugdale Drive, Warndon Villages, Worcester, UK in the spring of 2020 in collaboration with Warndon Parish and Worcester City Council. Over 30 different species of wild flowers and other plants have been observed on and around that
verge. What's more astonishing is that not one of those wildlfowers were planted by us. They just came up naturally after not being mowed down every two weeks in the summer months. Instead the verge is simply cut once a year and the arisings removed to reduce the fertility of the soil. This is the niche that our native meadow wildflowers thrive in.
Paul Snookes, cofounder of The WEG, explained, “There is ample evidence of the physical and mental health benefits of urban nature. The flowers and grasses also attract butterflies, bees, pollinators and other insects which in turn helps the local bird, bat and mammal populations to thrive. We hope for many more sites like this in the future.”
Following on from the success at Dugdale Drive, Worcester City Council have started to cut and collect the native wildflowers on the Dugdale Drive verge in Worcester. This regime replicates the way meadows were managed for many generations and should result in the wildflowers flourishing for many years to come.
You are no doubt familiar with colourful wildflower displays in your town or city. These are often non-native annual species that cheer us all up and attract pollinators for the pollen and nectar only. In contrast our less showy native wildflowers come back every year and support the full life cycle of many of our native butterflies and other insects.
See us in Worcester News.
The WEG holds volunteer events twice a month and can be found on social media, or alternatively contact us at info@theweg.org for further information.
Thank you for sharing this great initiative. A few years ago I would have tutted at "untidy" verges. I now realise that even nettles and other not so pretty wildflowers have an important place in this world. They can be vital for caterpillars and other insects. Then the birds come to find food as well. Without caterpillar food plants we will have no beautiful moths and butterflies.
Susan Seear