Wildflower planting

In March 2023 the North Lanarkshire Biodiversity Action Plan 2023-2027 was produced. This plan sets out a partnership approach to guide the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity in North Lanarkshire to 2027, to ensure a focus on being Nature Positive. It details the actions needed to safeguard vulnerable species in North Lanarkshire, and to protect and enhance key habitats at an ecosystem scale.

There is a high proportion of greenspace within North Lanarkshire which is formally managed municipal parkland or mown amenity grassland. These parks and open spaces are often carefully designed and support historical value, whilst providing important features for local communities. Their ecological value, however, can be variable.

These sites provide valuable opportunities to promote habitat creation or act as wildlife corridors in a manner that helps address national targets for various habitats.

By leaving some grass areas to grow longer before cutting them, or by not cutting areas at all, we will allow our wildflowers a chance to grow and flower. This should help turn these areas into low maintenance grassland which can have medium potential for biodiversity or semi-natural wildflower meadow, which has high biodiversity potential and is recognised nationwide as a habitat that needs to be protected.

In the UK, over 97% of wildflower meadows have been lost since the 1930s (according to UK charity Plantlife). When wildflowers disappear, many invertebrates are lost too, including insects which are vital to pollinate food crops and rely on these wildflower areas for food or a home. In the UK the value of insect pollination to agriculture is £691m per year (Buglife UK), pollinating crops such as oil seed rape, fruit and vegetables and producing Scottish honey.

According to UK Charity Buglife, six of our 25 species of bumblebee have declined by at least 80% in the last fifty years. These losses are mirrored for butterflies (71% of British butterfly species in decline) and hoverflies (38% of species in decline). This means that some unique and rare Scottish species are already irreparably lost and are on the brink of disappearance. Once such species are extinct, they will not return.

Losing vast numbers of insects and other invertebrates also has knock-on effects for other animals that feed on them including our native birds, amphibians, bats and other small mammals. One example are hedgehogs whose principal food source are insects and invertebrates.

As agricultural practices become more intensive, urban areas like North Lanarkshire, are becoming increasingly important for pollinators and provide many opportunities for habitat creation. Not only are flower rich grasslands good for biodiversity but they provide numerous other benefits such as capturing carbon, preventing flooding, reducing air pollution and providing aesthetically pleasing surroundings which contribute to the general wellbeing of people.

Yes, although naturalised grasslands and wildflower meadows will have different management. Both areas will have one or two cuts per year, but in some areas the grass clippings will be removed from the wildflower meadows and left in the naturalised grassland areas.

There may be other areas in parks where grass may not be cut at all. These areas are likely to be in shaded positions, for instance under mature trees or shrubby areas or against walls. As the areas are shaded, grass growth will be slow.

By taking the grass cuttings away from the wildflower meadows, we will be mimicking traditional hay meadow management. Native wildflower species have evolved to benefit from this type of management and therefore we hope that more wildflower species will come into the area.

The overall early establishment and long-term species mix will vary with site conditions and management. All meadows are unique and constantly evolve through time. Some species will be dominant for the first few years and then reduce in numbers as the meadow matures, while other species will appear absent early on but take time to increase in numbers.

In order to give wildflower seeds the best starting point, the ground is prepared in these areas during autumn. They will appear bare for a while until the plants start to flower in spring next year.  They will look more wild and have changing flowers on show through the seasons.  

Tick species are part of a natural ecosystem and although they mostly found in areas where there are deer and sheep they are also found in woodland, heathland and areas of dense vegetation, as well as longer grass. Unfortunately, due to climate change the natural population of ticks has increased as we experience warmer winters. Cold weather in the winter usually limits the population, but recently this has not happened.

It is recommended that if you are concerned about ticks on yourself, your family or your dog that you check for their presence regularly or avoid walking through the longer grass. If you do find a tick on you or your family, it should be removed promptly. Instructions for safe removal of ticks and further information can be found on NHS Inform.

There will be opportunities for local people and groups to become involved with ongoing monitoring of the grassland, including pollinator surveys and species identification. Any volunteering opportunities will be advertised on site, or for additional queries please contact us by emailing greenspace@northlan.gov.uk .