Why Flowers Matter More Than Ever for Bees and Pollinators
Every flower you plant isn’t just for looks. It supports a much bigger purpose. Pollinators, including bees, butterflies, birds, and other insects, are the stars that help our ecosystems flourish and ensure many of the foods we love are available. According to our friends at Pollinator Partnership, about 75% of the world’s flowering plants and 35% of global food crops rely on pollinators. That means one out of every three bites of food you enjoy exists thanks to their hard work.
Bees need flowers primarily to gather food for their survival and to feed their larvae. They collect nectar as a high-energy carbohydrate source to power their flights and pollen as their essential protein source. Flowers also provide the resources needed to produce bee bread and honey for the colony.
- Nectar (Energy Source): Bees consume nectar, a sugary liquid, for energy to travel and forage.
- Pollen (Protein Source): Pollen is collected in specialized "baskets" on their legs and used to make "bee bread," which acts as a protein-rich food for larvae.
- Survival and Colony Health: Access to a variety of flowers (and their pollen/nectar) is critical for the overall health and survival of the bee colony.
- Mutual Benefit: While collecting food, bees provide a critical service by transferring pollen between flowers, allowing plants to reproduce (pollination).
Without flowers, bees would not have the necessary nutrients to survive, and many plant species would not be able to produce seeds or fruit.
That’s why June is recognized as National Pollinator Month. It helps raise awareness around the decline of pollinator populations and the importance of protecting the habitats they depend on. Habitat loss, climate change, pesticides, and disease continue to impact pollinators around the world, making healthy flowers, native plants, and protected green spaces more important than ever.
At Comvita, caring for bees has always gone beyond the hive. For more than 50 years, our beekeepers in New Zealand have worked alongside nature, caring for bees and the landscapes that help them thrive. From remote Mānuka forests to flowering habitats that provide nourishment throughout the season, our experience caring for bees has shown us the close connection between pollinator health and their surrounding environment.
Honeybees themselves are remarkable. A single honeybee may visit 50 to 100 flowers in one trip, while an entire colony can pollinate millions of flowers in a single day. Every jar represents an incredible amount of work from both bees and beekeepers alike.
Simple Ways to Help Pollinators at Home
Drawing on tips from Pollinator Partnership’s educational resources and what we’ve learned at Comvita through years of beekeeping, here are a few easy ways you can help pollinators at home:
- Plant native, pesticide-free flowers and pollinator-friendly plants.
- Leave a small section of your yard wild or unmowed.
- Add a shallow water source with stones for bees and pollinators.
- Avoid spraying pesticides during bloom periods.
- Support beekeepers and brands that care for bee habitats.
- Learn more about pollinators and how habitats impact their survival.
Every step can help create healthier environments for bees and pollinators to thrive.
To learn more about pollinator protection, habitat resources, and ways you can get involved, check out the Pollinator Partnership and the helpful guides they provide. Giving credit where it’s due helps spread awareness and supports organizations doing important work.
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