Councils are catching on to the potential of verges for wildflowers
THERE IS GROWING INTEREST IN THE value of our road network for nature, which may sound a contradiction in terms. But for a few heady months in spring and early summer, road verges burst into bloom. At least, properly managed ones do. Their potential is obvious Verge-loving wildflowers out in May include cow parsley, red campion, bird’s-foot trefoil, meadow buttercup, cowslip and clover. Then there are the wild grasses, on which many moth and butterfly caterpillars feed.
A recent study at the University of Exeter estimated that road verges in England, Wales and Scotland represent just over 2,500km² of grassland habitat. Plantlife, meanwhile, says that verges contain 80 per cent more grassland than the open countryside, most of which is farmed (much of it intensively).
The statistics are impressive – and councils are at last starting to take notice, with more developing wildflower-friendly late-mowing regimes, cutting only the kerbside portion before September. Picking up the cuttings is also key – leaving them boosts soil fertility so that vigorous species proliferate, swamping others.