Flower power is back
Councils have cut back outdoor services as they concentrate efforts to deal with the coronavirus outbreak... and it is having a welcome effect for flowers, reports
ON verges and in parks, beside busy roads and quiet, residential streets, they add splashes of unexpected colour to our towns and cities.
Now enthusiasts are predicting a boost in the number of wild flowers this summer due to councils cutting back on grass trimming and outdoor maintenance during the coronavirus pandemic.
Conservation charity Plantlife said a reduction in spring verge cutting will benefit flowers.
It has long been trying to persuade councils to cut back on grass trimming to encourage the health and diversity of wild plants.
The charity said more than 700 species of wild flower grow on verges, nearly 45 per cent of the UK’S total flora.
But it stressed its staff are also extremely worried about the Covid-19 crisis and want it to end as quickly as possible.
Dr Trevor Dines, Plantlife’s botanical specialist, said: “In these incredibly challenging times and as horizons inevitably narrow, the wild flowers appearing on our waysides and road verges are an uplifting sight, contributing significantly to our wellbeing.
“An unintended but understandable consequence of lockdown may be reduced mowing that has the potential to benefit wild plants and the bees, butterflies, birds, bats and bugs that depend on them for survival.
“For too long, scalping verges in the pursuit of neatness has been flattening wild plant communities.
“When verges are cut early in spring, sometimes as early as April, most flowers just don’t stand a chance.
“Summer has been disappearing from verges as colourful flowers cannot set seed before the mowers strike.
“Electrifying orchids, including early purple, bee, and pyramidal orchids, that once used light up many verges, are now hard to spot as early cutting has ripped through their seed pods before they can ripen.
“Felled before their prime their promise has been left to rot on the verge.”
Plantlife chief executive Ian Dunn added: “Road verges were once considered to be inconsequential litter-strewn ‘edgelands’ that had little value to wildlife but, thanks in part to Plantlife’s energetic campaign, they are increasingly recognised as crucial biodiversity corridors that support a floral tapestry of wild flowers and the wealth of wildlife they underpin.
“As we stay home to stay safe in these strange and difficult times an increasing number of people are discovering anew the beauty on their doorsteps and finding much solace in nature; those exercising daily on quiet lanes are recognising well-managed road verges provide an uplifting and heartening pop of vibrant colour that can lift even the weariest soul.”
Plantlife said the UK has 238,000 hectares of road verges compared to just 85,000 hectares of surviving species-rich grassland.
It said once familiar flowers are now unable to compete with the mower and the thick thatch of cuttings it leaves behind, encouraging nitrogen-loving “thuggish” species such as nettles to take over.
The charity highlighted 10 summerflowering plants that have sought refuge from the UK’S “intensively farmed countryside” on verges, but are now declining.
These are oxeye daisy, yellow rattle, wild carrot, meadow crane’s-bill, greater knapweed, white campion, burnetsaxifrage, betony, harebell and field scabious.
Plantilife added: “Will this summer be their best for years?”
Councils across the UK have suspended or reduced grass cutting and outdoor maintenance during the pandemic as they seek to focus resources elsewhere.
East Dunbartonshire confirmed all open space maintenance has been suspended “for the time being”.
Glasgow said it is concentrating on maintaining collection services for general waste and recycling bins. Its grass cutting plans are under review.
A spokesman said: “As part of our grassland management plan and wider efforts to strengthen Glasgow’s biodiversity, we have already been extending the number of wild flower meadows in the city.
“For wild flower meadows to thrive the ground must be prepared properly and this means a number of well-structured tasks need to be completed before seeds are sown.
“But, where suitable, we have also been leaving grass in open spaces uncut as this helps to create natural habitats for a range of insects and small mammals.
“Due to the effects of the coronavirus outbreak, we are focusing on a key priority of maintaining an efficient collection service for general waste and recycling bins.
“As we move into growing season, we are looking carefully at how we appropriately undertake grass cutting in the context of the impact of the virus and the objective of limiting its spread.
“For example, cutting verges along paths and other footways will help to provide space for social distancing when people are making necessary journeys on foot or bike.”
Edinburgh has also already taken steps to reduce its outdoor maintenance and boost nature in certain spaces.
Its grass cutting programme will not start until later this summer, and will focus on areas where recreational demand is greatest and where health and safety may be compromised.
The city’s leaders expect many more locations will not be cut as frequently as would normally be the case, potentially benefiting wildlife.
Kate Petty, Plantlife’s road verge campaign manager, said: “Verges are the last remaining habitats for some incredibly rare flowers, such as wood calamint, and we must redouble our efforts to save and protect these under-appreciated, yet abundant, strips.
“Thankfully the fix is startlingly straightforward: simply cutting verges less and later will save plants, money and reduce emissions.
“We need to rewild ourselves and accept nature’s wonderful ‘messiness’.”
Last week, a joint statement by five leading rural and environmental organisations sounded the alarm over a wave of litter brought on by the coronavirus crisis.
The groups said fields, laybys and lanes have become hot spots for unwanted furniture and garden waste.
Scottish Land and Estates, the National Farmers’ Union of Scotland, the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime, Keep Scotland Beautiful and Zero Waste Scotland all urged the public to report flytipping.
For too long, scalping verges in the pursuit of neatness has been flattening wild plant communities