Since the 1930s we have lost 97% of British wildflower meadows, so road side verges have become a vital refuge for many bees, butterflies, birds, bats and bugs. They provide food, such as nectar for pollinators/food for many butterfly caterpillars, and act as corridors allowing wildlife to move between larger pockets of wild spaces. Over 700 species of wild flowers grow on UK road verges, including some wild flowers that are now becoming threatened such as harebell, field scabious and ragged robin. However, these benefits can only happen if the right management is in place.

Where appropriate, roadside verges in Telford are managed to maximise their value for wildlife. In these areas, plants are allowed to grow and complete their full life cycle (grow, flower and set seed) before they are cut. Where possible, the clippings are then collected, to avoid enriching the soil (wildflowers prefer nutrient-poor soils). Telford and Wrekin council is currently working on identifying more verges which would be suitable for wildflower-friendly management. 

View the video below of a local meadow cut in the Telford and Wrekin Borough: 

Last updated : 22 January 2025

Why do we only have wildflower verges in certain locations?

It is not always appropriate to let verges grow. We need to consider visibility and road safety. In some areas, it would just be unsafe not to cut grass verges regularly. Some verges may also not be suitable for wildflowers and the management they require. Some might only be composed of perennial rye-grass which would out-compete any wildflowers. Some might be too nutrient-rich as wildflowers prefer poor soils. Some might be too steep to manage as a wildflower verge.

Why are wildflower verges not mown right after they stop flowering/The wildflower verge is looking brown and dull why aren’t you cutting it?

Wild flowers need to be allowed to set seed, to make sure new flowers grow the following year. If they are cut during or right after flowering, there will be much fewer flowers in the verge the following year.

Pictorial meadows vs wildflower meadows: what’s the difference?

Wildflower meadows are composed of native, naturally occurring wildflowers and grasses.

Pictorial meadows (also sometimes called urban meadows or designer meadows) are composed of mixes of native, garden and non-native plants. They are designed first and foremost for their visual effect, creating waves of vivid colour that have a long-flowering season.

Wild flower meadows and verges are more ecologically important. Our native wildlife has a series of complicated and exclusive relationships with our native plants, which means that a diverse wild meadow can support a fantastic number of animal species. Its plants are also an expression of local biodiversity; no two sites are going to look alike, and there will even be subtle differences within the same species. They also contain a wide variety of grasses and sedges which are crucial for a number of insects including caterpillars.

Pictorial meadows can also provide food for pollinators (eg bees, butterflies, moths) depending on their composition. They tend to flower later in the year, so they look more colourful at the end of summer and provide nectar for pollinators later in the year. However, meadows support wildlife through more than just nectar; research by Plantlife suggests that while more than 1,400 species of insect feed on the leaves, stems and roots of native wild grassland flowers, a typical annual non-native pollinator mix will only support around 40 insect species in this way. Pictorial meadows often need to be re-seeded every year whereas wildflower meadows self-seed. Thus they require more work, are more expensive to maintain and are more suitable to urban environments, parks and gardens.

Won’t leaving roadside verges to grow encourage ragwort, is that bad?

Common Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) is a native plant with yellow, daisy-like flowers and a natural component of many types of grassland. It supports many species (up to 107 species of invertebrates), but is toxic to grazing animals. It is, however, also unpalatable and livestock won’t eat it unless it is cut and dried in hay. Good, careful management of verges will not encourage the spread of ragwort.

Is road safety compromised by managing verges for wildlife?

No. Safety comes first, and we will only let verges grow where it is safe to do so. Certain verges must be cut regularly to maintain clear lines of visibility – this is particularly crucial at junctions where a ‘visibility splay’ has to be maintained at all times. On some busy roads, this also applies to the first metre from the edge of the carriageway.

Last updated : 6 September 2024