Plant flowers to save insects

Our global ecosystem is more delicate than many people realise. The bee population is currently dangerously low and, as a result, various smaller ecosystems are suffering. Without insects like bees, pollination of many plants and blooms will not take place. Yes, there are some plants that rely on wind for pollination but there are many that rely on insects. By tending to your garden and planting the right flowers, you can enjoy their beauty and do your part to save helpful insects.

Flowers are a source of food

Flowers attract bees, butterflies and other insects with their sweet scents and striking colours. These insects come looking for that sweet nectar and bees produce delicious and nutritious honey. The flavour of the honey will depend on the types of blooms that the bees frequented.

Flowers and our food

When these insects are in abundance, they are able to effectively spread pollen between various blooms. When there are no longer sufficient insects, these plants no longer produce fruit or seeds in such large quantities. This can seriously impact our food sources. Pollination difficulties due to decreased insect populations can lead to decreased food production. Lower food production leads to higher prices and it can increase financial stress on entire countries.

Taking action

Now is the time to take action and we can all play our part by planting flowers to encourage insects to visit our gardens. Remember, the blooms that appeal most to human senses are not necessarily as appealing to insects. For the best results, try planting borage, marjoram, open-flowered dahlias and lavender.

You can also experiment with many other types of flowers and soon you will see which ones are favourites. Just as you attract more insects, so too will you attract more life in the form of birds. Flowers really will bring your garden to life.