Creating attractive floral displays in public places around Basildon, while increasing insect biodiversity to support local plant and animal life, were key factors in Basildon Council’s decision to use Rigby Taylor’s Euroflor wildflower seed mixes across the borough’s roundabouts, roads and open spaces.
In September 2019, Basildon Council set up a £50,000 fund to support a three-year ‘Pollinator Action Plan’ to help boost the local bird, bee and butterfly population and support local ecosystems. This plan involved the sowing of wildflowers to attract pollinating insects, increased tree planting and reduced grass cutting on some of the main routes into the town centre.
The council opted for Euroflor’s Sarah Bouquet wildflower seed mix, which had been its choice during the previous seven years to help brighten up the local parks.
The seed mix includes 30 plant species and varieties for maximum effect and insect biodiversity – offering a colourful, low maintenance, flower display from early summer to autumn.
According to Basildon Council Parks and Countryside Supervisor, Glen Owers, the Euroflor seed mix was first introduced into Lake Meadows Park because the council wanted to “add some colour and make it more attractive to visitors”, and due to the colourful “wow factor” that first year, they’ve used the seed mix ever since.
Glen added: “Once the seeds have germinated, the team use Apex Organic OC2 fertiliser and the area is irrigated during dry spells.
“The first colour appears around 60 days after sowing and the mix of species ensures that as one plant blooms and fades, another is coming through to take its place.”
At the end of the season, once the plants have gone to seed and died off, Glen’s team cut them down to the ground and a rotary mower will mulch it up and put it back into the soil in preparation for the next seasons sowing cycle.
