Residents and visitors to Bournemouth are enjoying the sight of poppies and wildflowers that have appeared around the town.
Most notably they are now in full bloom at the busy St Paul’s roundabout but the Council’s parks team have also planted them at various other places including Fishermans Walk, Slades Farm and Queens Park.
The flowers have greater pollinating properties and are more sustainable allowing for a longer flowering period. Many of the areas were sown with the support and aid of voluntary groups like Townsend Together Team, Pokesdown Community Forum, Friends of Moore Ave and Friends of Fishermans Walk.
Poppies have been grown this year to commemorate the centenary of the start of World War One.The flower was one of the only plants to grow on the otherwise barren battlefields of Northern France and Flanders following the conflict and has since become a symbol of remembrance.
Councillor Lawrence Williams, portfolio holder for leisure, culture and tourism, said:
“People have been full of praise for the wildflowers and poppies which really do look magnificent.
“We have planted an array of different flowers and plants in the town that are blossoming in this lovely weather so I would encourage Bournemouth residents to get out and about and enjoy our parks and gardens.”
Bournemouth Council runs an award winning plant Nursery at Kings Park offering a wide range of good quality plants for sale. It’s open Wednesday to Saturdays between 10am to 4pm and located by the Kings Park entrance near Pokesdown Station.
