Wildflower bulbs donated to Norton Priory
Hundreds of wildflower bulbs have been donated to Norton Priory after being removed from a busy Runcorn road.
Merseylink’s ecologists rescued the snake’s head fritillary bulbs from the embankments of Runcorn’s Central Expressway to avoid them being damaged during Mersey Gateway construction works.
The pretty, often purple plant is unmistakable for its colouring and the unusual checked pattern on its bell-shaped flowers. Around one thousand bulbs have been donated to the Priory for re-planting in its wildflower meadow.
Yousuf Shaikh, chairman of the Mersey Gateway Environmental Trust, said: “The bulbs will be used to enhance a wildflower meadow called Slater’s Meadow, which is named after a previous gamekeeper to the Priory’s former owners, the Brooke family. These beautiful flowers will add a spring attraction to the meadow.”
Norton Priory is also re-using turf that has been removed from the Central Expressway to create a bee hotel.
