Three Rivers green space set to see burst of colour next spring

More than 400 wildflowers were planted at Eastbury Recreation Ground on Batchworth Lane to provide an essential source of nectar for pollinating insects and increase the diversity of plants found in the area.

After Three Rivers District Council’s grounds maintenance team cut down the long vegetation within the planting area, everyone got stuck in to plant wildflowers as well as spread wildflower seeds on exposed patches of ground.

More than 30 species of wildflowers were planted by conservation volunteers from Herts County Council’s countryside management service, students from Eastbury Farm Primary School and council officers on Wednesday 4 October.

The species of wildflowers planted include: Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus); Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis); Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea); Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris); Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria); Teasels (Dipsacus fullonum) and many more.

Cllr Jon Tankard, Lead Member for Environmental Services, Climate Change and Sustainability, said: “I’m excited to see a sea of colourful wildflowers next spring that will breathe more life into Eastbury Recreation Ground; attracting wildlife to the area and for our residents to enjoy this burst of colour in spring, which will bring both mental and physical wellbeing benefits.

“Not only will these wildflowers provide a much-needed food source for the local wildlife including pollinating insects, such as bees whose population are sadly on the decline, but will also capture and store carbon and reduce greenhouse gases.

“As well as this, the complex root systems of meadows improve the soil stability which helps alleviate flooding as rainwater is held and erosion is reduced.

“I would like to thank our grounds maintenance team, the volunteers and students for all their hard work and dedication.”

Ciaran Mullan, senior projects officer at Hertfordshire County Council, who helped organise the volunteers, said: “Our volunteers had a thoroughly enjoyable day at Eastbury Recreation Grounds and made short work of planting several hundred wildflowers ‘plug’ plants, as well as spreading wildflower seed across what was a swathe of amenity grassland with minimal biodiversity.

“This activity made an interesting change from our usual programme of practical conservation work, at this time of year, and our group is now very excited to return here in the spring, to witness the fruits of their labours, in what will hopefully be an impressive show of floral colour with a wealth of benefits for pollinating insects and other forms of wildlife.”

PHOTO CAPTION 1: Conservation volunteers from Herts County Council’s countryside management service

PHOTO CAPTION 2: Volunteers and council officers getting stuck in to the planting

PHOTO CAPTION 3: A sea of wildflowers will soon sprout; creating a burst of colour for the area.