20 Sep 2023

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Following successful trials across the city, residents can expect to see wildflowers blooming in local parks and reserves this spring.

Earlier this year, we asked which community green areas you’d like to see flourishing with wildflowers. Following this feedback, we have prioritised the most requested parks and reserves for the trial to be expanded into.

In addition to these sites, you may also see wildflowers popping up in garden beds throughout the city’s green spaces.

Manager of Community Parks Al Hardy says the flowers will provide a pop of colour across the city, while also benefiting both the insects and the environment.

“We’re excited to expand this trial to Christchurch’s community parks, with three to four planting areas selected from each ward,” says Mr Hardy.

“Wildflowers provide habitat for pollinators and insects, offering food, shelter, and places for them to breed. There are benefits to the soil as well, improving its structure by increasing organic matter when the vegetation breaks down.

“Plus, by introducing wildflowers into our parks and reserves we can reduce our carbon footprint by decreasing our mowing requirements.”

The flowers will help to boost the region’s bee population, providing pollen-rich gathering grounds in different areas of the city.

Mr Hardy says the trial will include a variety of wildflower types, while swapping out a few species from previous years. “We will continue with borage, alyssum, calendula and cornflowers, and we’ve swapped a few species to make it more appropriate for Christchurch’s climate. This mix will benefit all pollinators, including bees and butterflies.

“If the success of this trial continues, we will retain the wildflowers in the lawn areas, resowing as required.”

The programme will be rolling out this spring, and residents should start to notice the wildflowers germinating in their local areas in October.