Here at Wildflower Promotions we are very concerned about the plight of the natural world. One area of great concern where everyone can help is to grow wildflowers for pollinators. We are all aware of the plight of our bees and other pollinators – loss of habitat, pesticide spraying and the growing of flowers with no wildlife value at all, these contribute to the decline of many species. Some species are more susceptible to extinction because they require only one species of wildflowers – for example, the British Swallowtail butterfly only feeds on Milk Parsley.
If you have a garden, you can help nature by sowing or planting wildflowers. If you have a balcony, you can grow wildflowers in pots. This is so important. Since the 1930’s, Britain has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows. Let’s think about that for a moment – 97% less wildflowers for our insects, meaning many insects are also in decline. This is a vast loss of important habitat. The world is now realising that such a decrease in biodiversity is having a knock-on effect on ALL species.
To help spread the word about wildflowers and their importance to biodiversity, we have worked with Fire Lily Studio to create for us a short animation detailing how you can help save pollinators. We hope this film will inspire people to grow wildflowers and ditch the pristine green lawn – or part of it at least.
How can you help biodiversity?
- Plant wildflowers or sow wildflower seeds!
- It doesn’t matter if you have no garden – you can plant wildflowers in pots or other suitable objects
- Don’t mow! Or, at least, don’t mow so often. If you still like to see a neat lawn, why not leave a part of it to grow wild and see what wildflowers appear? Long grass is also beneficial to small mammals and reptiles for the cover it provides. You can even just dig out a patch of lawn and sow wildflower seeds into soil.
- Leave seedheads on flowers and don’t tidy up the garden too much in Autumn. Birds will feed on the seeds and the seeds will also self-sow around your garden and elsewhere. Dead foliage is also useful for insects and small mammals to overwinter in.
- Lobby your council to leave verges and common areas unmown, or not to mow so often.
- Create a community group to plant wildflowers in the communal areas where you live – parks, wasteland, village greens, bus stop roofs, verges etc.
- Share our animation far and wide to spread the word! Use #rewildyourworld to further the campaign and inspire others.
By planting wildflowers, no matter how small an area, you are doing your bit to help biodiversity and nature. People need to be aware of the crisis our pollinators are facing. Come on, people, we can do this! Rewild your world and save pollinators!
We would love to see what you create – if you would like us to include a blog post about what you are doing, please contact us info@wildflower-favours.co.uk.
