Attractive wildflowers improve council’s open spaces

Following the creation of a wildflower meadow in Welland Park, Market Harborough, near the cafe, the council has planted at other locations in the town including the railway station, along the Millennium Mile, next to the Commons cark park and by the verge either side of the river in St Mary’s Place. There are also wildflowers at Lutterworth Country Park and in Kiln Close, Broughton Astley.

A mixture of 25 native and naturalised species found in the British Isles have been used including Yarrow, Columbine, Borage, Harebell, Cornflower, Vipers Bugloss, Wild Candytuft, Forget-me Not and Corn Poppy.

As well as being eye-catching, wildflowers increase biodiversity by attracting more birds, bees, butterflies, and other insects and pollinators. They are also beneficial during winter months as the seeds become an important food source for birds and small mammals.

Cllr Darren Woodiwiss, Harborough District Council’s Cabinet lead for Environmental and Climate Change, said: “I am pleased we have been able to improve our popular open spaces by planting a variety of strikingly colourful wildflowers in different locations across the Harborough district. The council is committed to doing what it can to try to minimalize the impacts of climate change. These flowers encourage biodiversity and look great, so I encourage people to go see and enjoy them."

The council has prepared the ground for a community wildflower project in Bridgewater Drive, Great Glen, and is actively looking for other areas to plant up.

For more information about wildflowers visit https://www.harborough.gov.uk/info/20007/environmental_services/482/wildflowers