Wild flowers again boosting spirits this summer

In the absence of warm weather, beautiful wild flowers are bringing sunshine into people’s lives in Swansea this summer.

Over 41,000 square metres of wild flowers are in now in bloom across the city, wowing residents, commuters and visitors to Swansea every day.

More than 180 roadside verges, roundabouts and parks are benefitting from the scheme.

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

Cllr Mark Child, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Healthy City and Wellbeing, said: “This the fourth consecutive year staff in our parks service have masterminded the planting of wild flowers across Swansea for the enjoyment of residents and visitors, having first introduced the project as a trial scheme back in 2012.

“On the whole, the wild flowers have proven to be an outstanding success story once again this summer, with scores of people getting in touch with the council on a weekly basis to praise our staff for their efforts.

“Covering about seven football pitches in size, the total area of wild flowers now in bloom means most parts of Swansea are benefitting from their beauty.

“The scheme combines to raise people’s spirits and boost biodiversity by attracting bees and other pollinators to urban areas. Its popularity also means we regularly get queries from members of the public on how they can buy the seed mixtures for their own gardens.”

The wild flower scheme was one of a number of sustainable initiatives that led to the council winning a Sustain Wales award for excellence late last year.

Seed mixtures include colour rainbow annual, bouquets orange, and carpet red and gold.

The council’s parks service also works in partnership with the Friends of the Botanical Gardens, who sell the seeds during their plant sale events.