Very few things on earth are more beautiful than flowers – and with over 400,000 flowering plants, there is something for everyone.
Over the years, flowers have been used for many weird and wonderful purposes, from wedding bouquets to medicinal cures. Flowers are also crucial to the survival of our pollinating insects including the humble bumble bee and delicately intricate butterfly. These species depend on flowers for their delicious nectar, but whilst feasting they also pollinate the plant, a role which is essential for human food production.
However, pollinator communities have been in decline in recent years due to land use changes including increased urban areas and pesticide use in farming. As a result, planting more flowers to encourage these important pollinators is only becoming more important for their continued survival.
How to Celebrate
The best way to celebrate Plant a Flower Day is to plant a flower (or several!)… So why not plant flowers that will be beneficial to our favourite pollinating insects!
Bee-friendly flowering plants include:
- Foxglove
- Honeysuckle
- Sweet William
- Jasmine
- English Lavender
- Poppy
Butterfly-friendly flowering plants include:
- Dog Violet
- Wallflower
- Sweet William
- Marigold
- Chamomile
- Buddleia
Top Tip: You could also plant some delicious fruity plants such as raspberry, apple, and strawberry!
If you wanted to be extra wildlife friendly, you could plant up a patch of wildflowers which will encourage a huge variety of fascinating pollinators. There are some great mixtures you can buy if you are unsure on what to include, such as the Meadow Patch Wildflower Seed Mix available at bee-friendly seeds
And so from the simple daisy to the elegant rose, flowers definitely deserve their own day of celebration through their contributions to art, culture, and life.
The video below introduces the wildflower species you are most likely to encounter in damp areas, including streamsides and wet meadows.
For more information on making your garden bee and pollinator friendly, follow the links below!
http://beekind.bumblebeeconservation.org/finder
