Maidenhead & Windsor

The Maidenhead Royal Borough will once again be "blooming beautiful" with hanging baskets and floral bedding displays this summer thanks to the council's proactive and "responsible approach" to the current water shortage.

Contractors will this week begin putting up the annual array of hanging baskets at sites across the Maidenhead borough and preparing flowerbeds for summer planting - as the council reassures residents that every effort is being made to minimise the use of treated water supplies.

Maidenhead Cllr Richard Fagence, lead member for leisure and cultural services said: "We are acutely aware of our responsibilities during this current water shortage and have taken a robust and responsible approach to enable us to provide the usual high standard of colourful and luxuriant hanging baskets and flower beds which our residents have come to expect and enjoy without depleting essential water supplies.

"Maintenance of hanging baskets and flower beds is exempt from the current hosepipe ban, but we are determined to minimise any impact on the treated water supplies in our area and have been working closely with the water authorities and the Environment Agency to achieve this. The borough will continue to monitor the latest advice from the water authorities and take further guidance from them should the situation change to work with them to support their restrictions should these change.

"I am sure that this summer's displays will be every bit as eye-catching as they have been in previous years and will give a great deal of pleasure to our residents and visitors alike."

Steps being taken by contractors Windowflowers Ltd to reduce water use in hanging baskets include:

· watering baskets "little and often" (rather than larger weekly waterings) - either in early morning or evening to reduce evaporation loss

· double-lining baskets and incorporating water reservoirs to reduce drying out

· using more water-retaining granules to release moisture slowly to avoid compost drying out

· including more drought-tolerant plants in baskets.

Similar steps are being taken by contractors ISS Waterers Landscape who are responsible for the Maidenhead borough's public flowerbeds. They will implement early-morning watering, use drought-tolerant plants to reduce the need for watering and use untreated non-drinking water supplies to water the plants wherever possible.

For further information contact Liz Cronin, Maidenhead landscape officer on 01628 796133.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead