Gardeners urged to think of 'weeds' as wildflowers

HOUSEHOLDERS are being urged to rethink their attitude to wildflowers in gardens, as polling shows many still see blooms such as dandelions and daisies as weeds.

- JANE SHOWELL/PLANTLIFE

The call from conservation charity Plantlife comes as it kicks off its annual “no mow May” campaign to encourage homeowners to leave their mower in the shed for the month, and into the summer, to boost flowers and wildlife.

Polling of more than 2,000 people by Opinion Matters for the charity found more than half (56%) of those quizzed thought dandelions were a weed, while almost as many (52%) labelled thistles as weeds.

A quarter of people (26%) thought clover was a weed, while just over a fifth (21%) thought the same for buttercups and daisies.

The polling also shows many people want to remove plants they consider to be weeds, with concerns they spread too quickly, are unattractive, are signs of an unkempt, neglected garden, and compete with flowers and grass for and nutrients.