New verges to get a splash of colour

Almost three-and-a-half miles of wildflower verges have been planted in 12 trial areas across the borough including Herringthorpe, Swinton, Harthill and Maltby.

Rotherham Council’s cabinet member for transport and environment, Cllr Dominic Beck, said: “The wildflowers really add a splash of colour across the borough and also benefit the butterflies, honeybees, birds and other small mammals.

“We’ve had great feedback since we first started planting the flowers and replacing some grass verges eight years ago and we hope to continue to expand the planting again in the future.”

Eight miles of wildflowers were first planted across the borough in 2013 and the mix of seeds has been specially designed from over 180 species.

The special selection has a long flowering season that is achieved by using a successional approach. 

Low-growing early flowers bloom against the fresh green foliage of the later-flowering species, while a higher proportion of later-flowering species grow taller and hide the dying remains of the earlier species.

After flowering, the reservations will be mown in late autumn when the seed heads have dried and will then propagate the areas for next season.

The 12 trial areas are:

Central Areas

Herringthorpe Valley Road

Oaks Lane

Brook Hill 

Three sites Richmond Park Avenue

North Areas

Picadilly Road Swinton

Off Manvers Way Roundabout

Cortworth Lane Jct Coaly

Pontefract Road Brampton Bierlow

Lions Lodge Roundabout

South Areas

Orgreave Road Catcliffe

Braithwell Road Maltby

Hard Lane Kiveton Park/Harthill

Worksop Road A57 Todwick