Wildflowers

Space for Wildflowers

Wildflowers, and the areas where they grow, support a vast array of insects and other wildlife ... including us humans!

 

They are currently in need of help:

 

  • 97% of UK wildflower meadows have been lost since the 1930's.
  • We're losing the plant knowledge and connection that was part of growing up for generations before us. This does matter, as it means plants more easily disappear unnoticed.
  • 49% of uk plant species have declined in range since the 1950's, with only 20% increasing.
  • One in 5 species is at risk of extinction.

 

There is a lot we can do:
 

  • With over 23 million gardens in the UK, our lawns add up to a significant proportion of our land - this gives us huge potential to help our wildflowers and the pollinators that depend on them.
  • One mile of flower rich verge can produce 20g of nectar, enough to feed millions of pollinators!
What we are doing

We are flying the flag for wildflowers!:

 

'Start the Week with a Wildflower' - a new feature on our Facebook, Instagram and website, begun in 2024.

 

We launched our 'Colerne Wildflower Patch Project' in 2024. People joined in by giving over a small patch of their lawn - or tub if no lawn - to wildflowers, to help create a virtual Wildflower Meadow across the parish. All of our 100 seed packets were taken by people visiting our market place stall. Colerne CE Primary School took part - the children did lovely flower drawings on the seed packet envelopes, and each class had a patch where they grew flowers from seeds they had received as part of the 'King's coronation' celebrations. See our wild flower patch page for more details. We will be seeking feedback on how people's patches across the parish are progressing in 2025.

 

Wildflower, butterfly and insect walks to make the connection between wildflowers and pollinator survival.

 

We developed a 'walk to School wildflower spotter sheet' based on a list compiled by Izzy Dixon, a former pupil on her walk to Colerne Primary School along a route taken by many of the pupils. In July 2024 a copy was given to every family in the school. More copies will be available from the local shop following a reprint. Printing was funded by The Wildflower Society.

 

Our School Wildflower Workshop (June 2024) combined botanical art with an outdoor wildflower hunt.  We took groups of Year 5 children to learn about the wildflowers they found in their school grounds. Photos of their findings were used in a wildflower art workshop led by local artist Hope Blamire, who volunteered her time to help the children create stunning artwork:

              Materials and botanical eye lenses were funded by the Wildflower Society.

 

Wildflower sewing project - launched in 2024. 'A glorious alter cloth in the making' is a collaboration with Colerne Eco-church as part of their 'God’s Acre' work. Thanks to Susi Bancroft for her embroidery teaching.

 

Cleared vegetation to revive a verge in Thickwood previously protected for its floral richness.

 

Collected yellow rattle seeds which have been sewn on Watergates Common to weaken the grass and help wildflowers to thrive.

 

Planted daffodils and crocus bulbs on the verges near Star Corner and at the entrance to Cleaves Avenue.

Can You Help?

  • Garden for nature: see the Garden for Wildlife area on our actions for sustainability page.
     

  • Welcome wildflowers to your lawn: Mow less and on a high cut (2 inches) to allow low growing plants, e.g. daisies, clover and self heal to thrive. Leave some areas long for more diverse plants.
     

  • Avoid pesticides and herbicides.
     

  • Get in touch if you have a wildflower interest and knowledge you can share.
     

  • Slow down, notice and enjoy wildflowers on walks. 
     

  • Take your children on wildflower hunts.
     

  • Get in touch if you can help to encourage a love of wildflowers through art or writing.

Supported by The Wildflower Society for our botanical events for children and young people. The Wildflower Society is a national society for amateur botanists and wild flower lovers in Britain and Ireland who work to promote awareness of wildflowers, especially amoung younsters, as well as to educate about conservation of wildflowers, British flora and the countryside.  thewildflowersociety.org.uk/