Motorists warned of dangers of picking flowers on busy WA highway

In Western Australia's South West, motorists can enjoy the sight of wildflowers that have been planted along the Bussell Highway.

The state's transport authority planted the native everlastings to improve soil quality.

However, people are enjoying the flowers so much that they are stopping to pick them, which Main Roads says is "dangerous" and "illegal".

The popular drive between Bunbury and Busselton, about 200 kilometres south of Perth, has become more scenic, with the median strips awash with blooming everlasting flowers.

But Main Roads WA has criticised the risky behaviour of motorists who are pulling over on the Bussell Highway to grab handfuls of the flowers.

Regional director Dominic Boyle urged people to leave the flowers alone and not create unnecessary hazards on the road.

"Not just because it's illegal to pick these flowers, but also they are putting themselves in danger."

Mr Boyle said the decision to plant flowers, rather than shrubs, to revegetate the median strip on the Bussell Highway, was unusual.

Everlastings were chosen because they were hardy and would improve soil quality.

However, reports of ardent flower pickers stopping to gather blooms have alarmed the agency.

"There's a big safety concern. We also want to make sure that seed gets back into the soil," Mr Boyle said.

"So we really encourage people just to keep themselves safe and to leave these flowers alone."

The City of Bunbury has also planted the everlastings on its road reserves and the flowers are proving popular.

Bunbury Deputy Mayor Cheryl Kozisek took a positive approach to reports of flower theft.