wildflowers

North Devon grassland ‘savannah’ to become largest to be created in the UK 

The National Trust has announced its largest ever wildflower grassland project as part of its efforts to help save this threatened habitat and tackle the nature and climate crises.

In a project which will eventually create pockets of species rich grassland across 70 miles of the north Devon landscape, 86 hectares (213 acres) of land has been sown with 1.3 tonnes of specially selected...

Orchids galore as donkeys play key role in wildflower conservation

A scheme that allows donkeys to help with the management of a wildflower meadow at The Donkey Sanctuary’s headquarters in Sidmouth has blossomed into a dazzling display of orchids.

At the end of last summer, rescued donkeys Paddy and Kelley were walked through a wildflower meadow at the site in Sidmouth as part of their routine training and exercise.

Now the wildflowers are...

The RSPB calls for everyone to join the wildlife-planting revolution in the South West

The RSPB is calling for everyone in the South West to join the wildlife-planting revolution after a YouGov survey revealed that three quarters (78%) of people are now doing at least something in their garden or outside space to help wildlife (with 23% trying a lot, 28% trying a fair amount, and 27% trying a little).

The survey, commissioned by the RSPB as part of their Nature on Your...

Flowers to flourish in Devonport thanks to help from Tesco

PLYMOUTH people can look forward to an explosion of floral colour across Devonport next spring thanks to funding from Tesco.

Pollenize CIC received £1,000 from the supermarket’s Community Grants scheme to buy hundreds of seed packets to give away to residents, with the aim of growing masses of wild flowers at households in the area.

The rewilding seeds will not only bring...

Donkeys could help in reintroduction of rare wildflower  

Donkeys could play a role in an innovative conservation scheme to reintroduce one of the UK's rarest farmland wildflowers.

More than 20,000 seeds of the small-flowered catchfly have been sown in plots on farmland at the Devon headquarters of international animal welfare charity, The Donkey Sanctuary.

It is hoped that the plant will establish and thrive at the sanctuary. The...

Using nature to keep the grass short

Plymouth’s grass land could be covered in yellow rattle as part of an experiment to use nature to keep the grass short in urban areas.

Plymouth City Council and Devon Wildlife Trust have been harvesting yellow rattle seed from Efford Marsh Local Nature Reserve and they plan to use the seed to sow in grasslands across the city.

The flower is semi-parasitic and gets its nutrients...

Plymouth city centre gets a Buzzing Boost!

The Urban Buzz has well and truly arrived in the centre of Plymouth this year and it is starting to bloom, and buzz with bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects.

To add to the fantastic flowers which are already in bloom over at Millbay Park and on many of the city centre’s major roundabouts and road verges, we have now moved right into the heart of the City centre and planted...

North Cross wildflower meadow to be bigger and better

Volunteers and Council staff will be rolling up their sleeves to extend the North Cross wildflower meadow this weekend.

Building on the huge success of the wildflower display last year, this year’s display will be even bigger and better, by bringing the flowers closer to the public walking and cycling routes through North Cross. The display has also been expanded to the central...

Wildflower haven for city centre roundabout

A slice of the countryside will soon be springing up at North Cross roundabout in Plymouth city centre as work starts on creating a wildflower haven.

Grassy banks and verges within the roundabout area are to be tilled to plant an mix of seed including cornflower, corn marigold, poppies, ox-eye daisy, red campion and white campion which will bring colour, nectar and visual appeal to the...