A DEDICATED gardener is on a mission to plant wildflowers across the city.
Jill Doubleday from Peartree is on a mission to help pollinators such as butterflies and bees by greening gaps between large open spaces.
The 58-year-old started planting in 2021.
Her community group, Pollinating Peartree, has created a map to highlight areas in Peartree that can be transformed.
She is now sharing her advice to get more people wildflower planting across the city.
She said: "I've been a local wilder for a few years creating pockets of wildflowers for insects to travel in between wastes of space around Peartree.
"Creating wildflower patches means looking after those areas which have potential to help our environment.
"You can't always see the impact you are making but it does make a difference.
"Starting a wildflower spot you'll need seeds and an area where you can plant them.
"Often areas are council owned so making sure you can plant them and letting the council know what you are doing (is important) so they don't get mowed away.
"A wildflower sign is helpful for passersby and council staff too. You can get some of the things needed by joining the Wilder Team at the Wildlife Trust."
Volunteering with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Jill was joined by Ludlow Infant School in Woolston to create wildflower patches around the site.
The green-fingered resident has been praised for her work with councillor Eamonn Keogh helping scatter seeds.
The Peartree ward councillor said: "Jill has done great work. Pollinating Peartree is all about finding neglected areas and getting people to adopt them.
"All the spaces need is some love and care even though they are public green spaces.
"Jill has done a fantastic job at bringing people together and looking after these areas.
"I joined Jill earlier last week around Bridge Rd helping her work and it was a fantastic experience that shows what people can do.
"If you look at the wildflower map that's been created there are around 14 areas in the ward from Itchen Bridge and Peartree Green to small green patches all around."
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