Wild flower scheme wins widespread praise

SWANSEA’S summer wild flower scheme has won widespread praise from residents, visitors and celebrities.

Hundreds of thousands of wild flowers are now in bloom on scores of roadside verges, parks and roundabouts right across the city.

Swansea Council is behind the scheme. Locations benefitting include Normandy Road by the Liberty Stadium, Sketty Park roundabout and part of Fabian Way’s central reservation. Summery picking, pastel mix and flowers, and honey and butterfly are among the seed mixtures being used.

Iolo Williams, TV wildlife presenter, said: “Congratulations Swansea – it’s great to see a city council taking positive measures to help our pollinators. Let’s hope more councils follow your example.”

Swansea resident Amanda Milward said: “They look beautiful – especially along Mumbles Road. Well done Swansea Council.”

Fellow city resident Lucy Adams said: “The wild flowers are stunning again this year. This is such a great idea – it definitely brightens Swansea up.”

The wild flowers scheme is being funded by Swansea Council, Community Councils and local Ward Members via their environmental allowances.

Cllr Mark Child, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Healthy City, said: “Our parks department deserves enormous credit because this year’s wild flower displays are breathtakingly beautiful once again. The displays are hugely popular with local residents, people who commute to work in Swansea and visitors to our city from other parts of the UK like Essex and Dorset who want their councils to follow in our footsteps.

“Our wild flower displays don’t just brighten up Swansea and raise people’s spirits, though. Their planting also helps attract bees and butterflies as well as other pollinators and wildlife.

“We hope many thousands more people will enjoy our terrific displays for the rest of the summer.”