Budding flower growers can get their hands on free seeds being given away by the Council to produce bright blooms and help support wildlife.
Bath & North East Somerset Council has been a gold and category winner in the South West in Bloom competition for the last two years and is now promoting flowers to support bees and butterflies.
With the very positive feedback from its trial planting last year on various roundabouts in the district, the Council in conjunction with ‘Bath in Bloom’ has decided to give away free flower seeds to any community group, friends group, school, club or any community-based organisation and even individual householders who want to brighten up their environment.
Special packs have been made up containing enough seed, with planting instructions, to cover three square metres. Preferably the flowers should be planted in a place where they are visible to the public – such as in front gardens, community areas or school grounds.
Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “The packs of seed are available to collect, on a first come first served basis, from Bath & North East Somerset Council’s offices at 9/10 Bath Street, Bath, The Hollies in Midsomer Norton and Riverside, Keynsham. All we ask for in return is a photo of before and after planting when the seed is in flower. This is to show to the RHS Britain in Bloom judges how we are supporting their theme of wild flowers this year.
“The seed mixture will produce a stunning display from late June until November, starting out with white, blues, pinks and reds, turning to reds, orange and yellow in the autumn.”
The floral mix has been carefully balanced for its colour and succession of display. Major components include: Shirley Poppy, Californian Poppy, Cornflower, Fairy Toadflax, Red Flax, Bishop’s Flower, Tickseed and Corn Marigold, Black-eyed Susan, Red Orache and Larkspur.
