Let it bloom

Conservation Greenkeeper at Woodhall Spa Golf Club, Stephen Thompson explains the benefits of wildflower areas….

As you go for a walk on a warm summer’s day - perhaps in your local park, on a golf course, or through a woodland - your senses might pick up the presence of wildflowers. A gentle breeze may carry their scent to you, or you may notice a burst of colour that brings a smile to your face. But by the time you get home, you might have forgotten all about them.

Do we take flowers for granted, assuming they’re simply there to look or smell nice? Do we realise how vital they are to our natural world?

Wildflowers are essential for biodiversity. They provide food and shelter for a wide variety of wildlife and play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. They form part of the food chain: more wildflowers mean more insects to pollinate them. More insects lead to more birds that feed on them, followed by larger birds and other animals higher up the chain.

Wildflower areas contribute to stable soil structure thanks to their complex root systems. When sown in poor soils, they can improve soil quality and help reduce flood risks by soaking up rainwater and preventing surface run-off.

When people think of wildflowers, they often picture bees buzzing around in gardens or meadows, feeding on nectar and collecting pollen. However, it’s not just bees that pollinate flowers. Butterflies - and more importantly, moths - also contribute significantly. Since bees and butterflies don’t fly at night, moths take over pollination during the evening.

There are roughly 2,500 species of moths in the UK, compared to just 59 species of butterflies (including two regular migrants: the Painted Lady and the Clouded Yellow). This shows how essential moths are. (Note: not all adult moths feed - they gain their nutrients during the caterpillar stage.)

There are approximately 270 species of bees in the UK, including solitary bees, honey bees, and 24 species of bumblebees. All play a vital role as pollinators.

Bees do more than just pollinate pretty flowers in meadows. They are responsible for pollinating many of our food crops, including apples, cherries, strawberries, tomatoes, and even global crops like nuts and coffee. (Where would we be without our daily cup of coffee?)

Many people are now aware that insect populations - particularly bees - have declined dramatically over recent decades, not only in the UK but worldwide. Insects are crucial for food production. Without them, our world would be drastically different.

In a previous issue of the magazine, we discussed how to prepare wildflower areas on golf courses. By July, you should be seeing the results: areas rich in nectar and pollen, bursting with colour, and hopefully teeming with insects. Take a walk through the flowers, observe the different species, and you might be surprised. Make notes of what you find and repeat the survey annually to build a picture of insect activity in your area.

Mental health

Wildflowers can offer enormous mental health benefits. Whether you’re walking through your garden or a wildflower meadow, the scents, colours and peaceful environment can be deeply relaxing. Nature is good for the soul! Learn more: www.wildlifebcn.org/wilder-wellbeing

Economic benefits

Wildflowers also provide economic benefits. They can help rejuvenate towns, cities and run-down areas, making them tidier, more colourful and more appealing to visit. More visitors mean more money flowing into the local economy.

Rememberance

Poppies are widely used as a symbol of remembrance for those who died in the two World Wars.

Medicinal properties

Plants and flowers have been used for centuries in herbal medicine. Today, modern science continues to discover their benefits. For example:

• Snowdrop and daffodil bulbs contain galantamine, used in Alzheimer’s treatments.
• Self-heal is used to treat inflammatory bowel disease, sore throats and internal bleeding.
• Compounds from foxglove (pictured below) are used to produce digoxin, a drug for heart conditions.

Learn more: www.rhs.org.uk/digital-collections/healing-garden

Beverages

Some flowers are also used in teas - like chamomile, lavender, jasmine and hibiscus.

Watch this video to learn how to make lavender and chamomile tea: 

Since the 1930s, the UK has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows. Just imagine how many insects have disappeared along with them. But we can all help - even a small window box can make a difference. Your garden, a golf course or a patch of public land can all host wildflowers. All it takes is one packet of seeds to start making an impact.

Let’s make the bees buzz!