Let's Talk Wildflowers

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You might not have realised it, but you are very likely living next to the some of the richest grasslands and heath lands in South Wales.


With its rich and diverse landscape, Rhondda Cynon Taf is not just rich in history, it is also filled with wonderful plants, fungi, insects and animals. From the Rhos pastures through to floodplains, there is a vast array of native wildflowers waiting to be discovered, and the grass in our parks, countryside sites, cemeteries, school grounds and road verges is no different.


Grasslands can play a major role in carbon storage and sequestration. That is the reason why managing them and preserving them is so important. In RCT, around 130 hectares of land is currently managed for wildflowers (10ha more than last year); that’s about 136 Millennium stadium pitches and we hope to add more to this next year.


We use two types of management: conservation grazing and a ‘hay cut’ method. In suitable areas, a small number of livestock, usually cows, graze the fields for part of the year. On road verges and parks the grass is cut in the autumn and the clippings are collected. The clippings are used to create habitat piles (‘eco piles’), which are later used by reptiles and small mammals. Where this is not possible the cut grass is be taken to our nearest green recycling centre.


Both types of management suit our wildflowers, allowing them to flower and set seed, and removing some of the competing and smothering grass. It is vital for us to preserve our native wildflowers and this is why we never use wildflower mixes or bee bombs on any of our sites. We want native wildflowers to come up naturally as they are fundamental for our native insects and wildlife and this can be done by just changing the way we manage our grass throughout the county borough.


Get involved in our latest conversation by:


-Taking part in our 3 Quick Polls


-Plotting areas in RCT on our interactive map you think should be considered for wildflower management. This would mean cutting and collecting the grass once a year to encourage wildflowers to come up naturally) and post your photos of wildflowers you've spotted recently or previously around your area.


-Telling us your ideas of how you manage your garden/ outdoor space for wildflowers.


To find out more about wildflower management, take a look at our 'Helpful Documents' section on the right hand side which includes a handy 'Do's and Don'ts' guide and Himalayan Balsam factsheet.

Click here for Welsh

You might not have realised it, but you are very likely living next to the some of the richest grasslands and heath lands in South Wales.


With its rich and diverse landscape, Rhondda Cynon Taf is not just rich in history, it is also filled with wonderful plants, fungi, insects and animals. From the Rhos pastures through to floodplains, there is a vast array of native wildflowers waiting to be discovered, and the grass in our parks, countryside sites, cemeteries, school grounds and road verges is no different.


Grasslands can play a major role in carbon storage and sequestration. That is the reason why managing them and preserving them is so important. In RCT, around 130 hectares of land is currently managed for wildflowers (10ha more than last year); that’s about 136 Millennium stadium pitches and we hope to add more to this next year.


We use two types of management: conservation grazing and a ‘hay cut’ method. In suitable areas, a small number of livestock, usually cows, graze the fields for part of the year. On road verges and parks the grass is cut in the autumn and the clippings are collected. The clippings are used to create habitat piles (‘eco piles’), which are later used by reptiles and small mammals. Where this is not possible the cut grass is be taken to our nearest green recycling centre.


Both types of management suit our wildflowers, allowing them to flower and set seed, and removing some of the competing and smothering grass. It is vital for us to preserve our native wildflowers and this is why we never use wildflower mixes or bee bombs on any of our sites. We want native wildflowers to come up naturally as they are fundamental for our native insects and wildlife and this can be done by just changing the way we manage our grass throughout the county borough.


Get involved in our latest conversation by:


-Taking part in our 3 Quick Polls


-Plotting areas in RCT on our interactive map you think should be considered for wildflower management. This would mean cutting and collecting the grass once a year to encourage wildflowers to come up naturally) and post your photos of wildflowers you've spotted recently or previously around your area.


-Telling us your ideas of how you manage your garden/ outdoor space for wildflowers.


To find out more about wildflower management, take a look at our 'Helpful Documents' section on the right hand side which includes a handy 'Do's and Don'ts' guide and Himalayan Balsam factsheet.

Share Nominate an area in RCT to be considered for next year’s wildflower management on Facebook Share Nominate an area in RCT to be considered for next year’s wildflower management on Twitter Share Nominate an area in RCT to be considered for next year’s wildflower management on Linkedin Email Nominate an area in RCT to be considered for next year’s wildflower management link

Nominate an area in RCT to be considered for next year’s wildflower management

almost 3 years

If you think there is an area in RCT that should be considered for next year's programme of wildflower management (this would mean cutting and collecting the grass once a year to encourage wildflowers to come up naturally), use this map to let us know. When considering areas for next year's programme we need to take into consideration a number of factors including health and safety, therefore not all areas identified will be possible to be included however we welcome all suggestions.

Please drop a pin on the map and tell us why you think this area should be considered, click the + button on the left hand side. 

Also use the map to share your pictures of Wildflowers you've seen around RCT. Drop the pin in the location and add your image and comments.

 

Go to Map
Page last updated: 21 Feb 2024, 02:37 PM