The Wildflower Capital Initiative is a cross-agency program that seeks to promote Perth by showcasing the unique local flora as a wildflower theme in the design and character of public open spaces and major infrastructure. It is part of a state-wide initiative (Wildflower Way) with a focus on enhancing the community and tourist experience of WA.

Throughout 2019, the Wildflower Capital Initiative was implemented at high-profile sites along the Mitchell Freeway and Mounts Bay Road as a demonstration of the project aims and outcomes to the thousands of motorists and city workers who view these areas every day.

The project area is split into three design areas, Plain, Gorge and River, following the thematic approach established in the Wildflower Capital Initiative Roadside Improvements Plan (Propagule, 2018). Each zone required a different approach, taking into consideration the aims of the Wildflower Way objectives, as well as the speed of traffic, roadside conditions, availability of water, ongoing maintenance requirements, and the safety of both motorists and Main Roads maintenance staff during installation and establishment.

Main Roads Western Australia (Main Roads) engaged Ecoscape to prepare detailed design and documentation for the stretch of Mitchell Freeway between the Hamilton Interchange and Narrows Bridge as part of the Wildflower Capital Initiative (WCI19). On average, approximately 40 000 vehicles use this stretch of freeway in each direction every week day, often at lower speeds due to peak hour congestion. For this reason, this location had been identified as a key gateway for motorists travelling to, or through, Perth from both north and south of the City.

Throughout the design process, Ecoscape established a collegial relationship with the Main Roads design and maintenance staff so that the final design would meet the project objectives whilst not becoming an ongoing maintenance burden. Through Main Roads, Ecoscape also liaised with the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA) regarding the species selection for the project, develpoing a suite of species mixes to be deployed in each zone, depending on flowering time, distance from the road and thematic intent.