Plant a wildflower area to provide a nectar source for Bumblebees

98% of Britain's flower-rich grasslands, such as hay meadows and chalk down lands, have disappeared in the last 60 years.  Sadly these provided a great habitat for bumblebees, as well as a host of other wildlife.    Although the UK has 24 species of bumblebee only 6 remain common with several species giving very serious cause for concern.   The role of the bumblebee in our countryside is often overlooked, but they are vital pollinators.  Without them many rare plants might disappear and the yields of soft fruits, fruit trees and beans would fall. 

Bumblebees need specific flower-rich habitats that provide pollen and nectar.  "Bumblebees on Farmland", available below, gives you information on how to manage habitats for bumblebees.  The Bumblebee Conservation Trust has many more leaflets and information on the specific flower and grass mix that is required by the bumblebee. 

Assistance with sourcing native wild flower seeds can be gained from Flora Locale, a charity dedicated to providing good practice in sourcing wild flower seed for wildlife in mind.  The organisation also provides a training programme to restore wild plants and wild plant communities to lands and landscapes across the UK, thus raising the biodiversity, environmental quality and enjoyment of town and countryside.

• Bees (PDF 157KB)

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