Flower verges with non-native seeds harm bees

COUNCILS trying to plant eco-friendly wildflower verges could be inadvertently harming butterflies, beetles and bees because they are sowing foreign seeds, a charity has warned .

Plantlife has urged local authorities to let native wildflowers grow on verges, and pointed out many colourful plants including orchids and oxeye daisies are available and better for native fauna.

Dr Trevor Dines, a plant specialist and spokesman for the charity, said that natural wild verges can support 1,400 species of insect, whereas the seed mix can only support a maximum of 40 species.

One council, Rotherham, was praised by many for its “eco-friendly” wildflower scheme, after seeds were sown across its verges. But these were from a seed mix and feature plants not native to Britain, with native plants not allowed to grow.

The flowers include the European poppy, California poppy, cornflower and corn marigold.

This is happening across the country, Dr Dines said. Plantlife is currently working with councils in rural areas to encourage them to let verges grow naturally.

He explained: “We should let the native flora do the job for us or use natural seeding if they are not there, so we bring seed in from a speciesrich wildflower meadow to bring back the native species to our verges, parks and gardens. These seed mixes that people are using – you have to herbicide the ground each year, clear them away, and buy a mix of seeds to sow each year as all these plants are annuals.”

He added: “In the spring, there is some research that shows pollinators definitely prefer native plants ... natural wild verges can support 1,400 species of insect whereas the seed mix can only support 40 species

‘We should let the native flora do the job for us or use natural seeding’

max.” Rotherham council said: “[Our] wildflower verges are maintained over a two-year growing cycle. At the end of the first growing year the wildflowers are allowed to produce seed and are then cut down, seeded, then germinated the following year to provide a second year’s display.

“At the end of the second year the growth is again cut back, and as part of preparing the surface to an acceptable level for subsequent seed germination, weed killer is required to remove weeds and ensure the seeds have the best chance of growth. Without this process the flower displays would not thrive, and this is standard practice.”