Boroughs fail to bloom amid budget cuts

Town halls are planting fewer flowers, it was claimed today. Figures show bedding planting in London has fallen by up to half as councils cut budgets.

Many say they are selecting more sustainable alternatives such as perennials.

London in Bloom executive trustee and horticultural consultant Peter Holman, after analysing figures from 22 London local authorities, said there had been dramatic declines in flowers.

Bexley put in 8,000 bedding plants last year, down from 300,000 two years ago, although Islington, a Britain in Bloom competitor this year, has maintained its floral displays while adding perennial material too.

Mr Holman said: "A lot of boroughs are using bedding to cut budgets and be seen as being sustainable. I want to see a balance rather than a knee-jerk reaction. Whichever party wins the election I can see green spaces being hit very hard afterwards."

Flower growers have complained at the cuts. David Spray of Midlothian's Pentland Plants said: "Some local authorities aren't ordering at all, while others have cut. maybe 10 per cent. It's the soft option when budgets are tight. It's purely economic - nothing to do with sustainability."