UK roundabouts set for wild meadow makeover

At Amberol we believe that any space can be improved by some imaginative planting and floral displays – even roundabouts. Often considered something of an eyesore, many of our customers have used self-watering containers to great effect – as can be seen here at this roundabout where Amberol’s beehive planters have been used to transform an ordinary roundabout into an oasis of flowers.

It seems we are not alone in seeing roundabouts as areas with untapped potential. After a year-long collaboration with the University of Sheffield's Department of Landscape, seed company Pictorial Meadows and local authorities across the country, car rental company Enterprise has selected seven roundabouts across the UK as sites for the creation of sustainable perennial wildflower meadows. The £130,000 project aims to transform some of the UKs busiest roundabouts and make them things of beauty.

The seven sites are located in Glasgow, Sheffield, Leeds, Birmingham, Swindon, Liverpool and Woking. They were chosen by local authorities for their proximity to major arterial roads. The programme also aims to support the government's National Pollinator Strategy which aims to improve conditions for bees and other pollinating insects.

“It’s great to see some of the traditionally less inspiring places in the community being given a floral face lift,” comments Patience Atkinson-Gregory of Amberol. “We often spot our self-watering containers adorning roundabouts across the UK – and this is a trend that we are more than happy to see encouraged.”