The modified states of road verge are species-poor grass-dominated verges that have been reseeded, under-managed or over-managed. Consecutive years of not not cutting will lead to the increased dominance of tall and rank grass species, while cutting several times each summer, starting in May and then often monthly throughout the summer. This will prevent the herbs in the sward from flowering and setting seed, again resulting in a grass-dominated habitat of littler or no value to pollinators. The timing and frequency of the grass-cutting is critical, ideally the road-verges would be managed effectively as hay meadows, with single cut, ideally in late August or September after most of the plants have flowered and set seed. Sadly, the majority of verges are cut frequently throughout the spring and summer months, with the meadow flowers rarely reaching the point of setting seed.
