7 September 2023
To celebrate this year’s Interflora World Cup, Gill Perkins, CEO, discusses the relationship between bumblebees and cut flowers, and what we can do to make a positive impact on both.
In the world of flowers, we find not only beauty but also a fascinating relationship between flowers and bumblebees. These two elements are intricately connected, and understanding their unique bond can deepen our appreciation for nature’s wonders. There is a significant synergy between cut flowers and their role in supporting bumblebee populations, and we, as individuals, can make a positive impact on both.
The Allure of cut flowers
Cut flowers have long been cherished for their captivating colours, fragrance, and ability to brighten up any space. From elegant roses to cheerful sunflowers, these blooms find their way into our homes, offices, and celebrations, adding joy to our lives. But have you ever wondered about the journey these flowers take before reaching our vases?
About British cut flowers
As recently as 50 years ago, commercially grown British cut flowers dominated the UK market with imports known by traders as ‘exotics’. Today, the opposite is true: more than 85% of the flowers sold through florists, supermarkets and wholesalers are imported, not just from Holland but flown in from growers as far afield as Ecuador, Columbia, Kenya and Ethiopia. British grown have become the new exotics.
But there are new, innovative companies now in the market who are working to reverse this trend. They are building awareness of the virtues of locally grown flowers and developing networks of British cut flower growers across the country. One such organisation is Flowers from the Farm.
The advantages of British cut flowers
Buying British cut flowers has many advantages:
- Seasonal beauty – freshly picked, locally delivered.
- Supporting British growers – British growers need your support.
- Fragrance – a beautiful bouquet of fresh cut flowers will have a delicious fragrance, many mass market flowers will not have this at all.
- Reduced carbon footprint – the carbon footprint of a bouquet of imported blooms is estimated to be 20 times higher than a freshly picked bouquet from a local flower farmer.
Many British cut flowers will be bumblebee-friendly, as opposed to flowers with multiple, tightly packed heads which offer bumblebees very little accessible food, or flowers that produce little or no pollen and nectar – this is often as a result of selective breeding by horticulturalists for their pleasing appearance. Plants like pansies and double begonias offer little for bumblebees and other pollinators.
The relationship between bumblebees and cut flowers
Cut flowers are typically harvested from farms or greenhouses, where they are cultivated under controlled conditions to ensure optimal growth. Once ready for sale, they are carefully cut and prepared for transport to local markets or distant destinations. Throughout this process, their relationship with bumblebees plays an essential role.
Bumblebees are nature’s proficient pollinators. They play a crucial role in the reproduction of many flowering plants, including those cultivated for cut flowers. As bumblebees forage for nectar and pollen, they transfer pollen from one flower to another, enabling fertilization and seed production. This mutualistic relationship ensures the survival and diversity of plant species, including the ones that eventually become cut flowers.
The connection between cut flowers and bumblebees goes beyond their shared role in plant reproduction. As cut flowers are grown and cared for in controlled environments, they can sometimes lack the natural pollinators that would typically aid in their growth. However, by supporting bumblebee populations, we can indirectly contribute to the health and productivity of flower farms.
How to make a positive impact for bumblebees and cut flowers
To foster a thriving environment for both cut flowers and bumblebees, we can adopt sustainable floral practices. Here are some tips to make a positive impact:
Choose locally grown, seasonal flowers: Support local flower growers who use pollinator-friendly practices to cultivate their blooms.
Avoid harmful pesticides: Reduce the use of harmful pesticides in your garden or on cut flowers to protect the well-being of bumblebees and other pollinators. Take a look at the Bumblebee manifesto and our new Go Pesticide Free guide.
Plant pollinator-friendly gardens: Create a welcoming space for bumblebees by planting native flowers and providing a habitat for these essential creatures. Whether you have a window box, allotment or large garden, planting bumblebee-friendly flowers can help boost your local bumblebee population. In return, they pollinate our flowers, crops, fruits and vegetables.
No matter what size garden you have, you can do your bit for bumblebees by planting at least two kinds of bumblebee-friendly flower for every flowering period (spring, summer, autumn and winter).
The best habitats for bumblebees are those that offer plenty of flowers to feed on during the entire active phase of the bumblebees’ lifecycle (from March until October). This will ensure that there is a good supply of pollen at all of the crucial times, including when queens are nesting, when the nest is growing, and when new queens are fattening up ready for hibernation!
Gardening is for everyone! Get the children involved, your friends and local community too, and start growing a haven for bumblebees!
Bee-rilliant help for beginners
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust has a handy tool called Bee kind which helps you discover the best bumblebee-friendly plants for your garden and provides you with ideas for what you may like to encourage British cultivators to grow.
You can also Bee the Change by downloading our free monthly planting menus and discovering the other quick, simple actions you can make your local area more bumblebee-friendly.
The connection between cut flowers and bumblebees is a testament to the intricate web of life and the interdependence of all living beings. As we revel in the beauty of cut flowers, let us also remember the vital role that bumblebees play in this floral journey. By supporting sustainable floral practices and fostering a friendly environment for these buzzing pollinators, we can ensure that both cut flowers and bumblebees continue to flourish, enriching our lives and our planet.