Why flowers are essential to our food system 

Find out how pollinator-friendly planting supports resilient ecosystems and the future of good food. Senior Wildlife Specialist at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), Helen Bostock, writes the latest Bristol Good Food story.

If you’re passionate about good food, it’s worth remembering that flowers – and the pollinators they support – are essential to the system that grows it. Behind the scenes, flowers play a vital role in making much of the food we enjoy exist. Around 30% of the crops we eat rely directly on insect pollination. Without pollinators like bees, hoverflies and butterflies, we’d lose strawberries, apples, almonds, raspberries, peas, beans, and so much more. 

Pollinators feed on nectar and collect pollen from flowers. As they move from bloom to bloom, they transfer pollen between plants, triggering the process that leads to fruit and seed production. It’s a quiet exchange, but one that underpins the resilience of our food system. 

Many of the plants we grow for food are also brilliant for pollinators. Strawberry flowers, for example, attract bees who feed on nectar and collect pollen for their larvae, as well as carrying some pollen to the next bloom. That pollinated flower will eventually become a juicy strawberry. The same goes for peas, beans, tomatoes, chillies, peppers, squash and courgettes. Herbs like chives, marjoram, mint, rosemary, sage and thyme are also pollinator magnets. When allowed to flower, these plants not only flavour our meals, they nourish the insects that visit them. 

The good news? Everyone can help. Whether you have a garden, allotment, balcony or a windowsill, planting pollinator-friendly flowers makes a real difference. Even the smallest patch of blooms can support local insect populations and contribute to a healthier ecosystem. 

Here are a few simple ways to support pollinators in your space: 

1. Plant for pollinators: Choose nectar- and pollen-rich varieties from the RHS Plants for Pollinators list. Aim for a mix that flowers across the seasons 

2. Let your lawn go wild: Mow less often and allow ‘weeds’ like clover and dandelions – both valuable food sources – to flower 

3. Provide water: A shallow dish filled with stones and water gives pollinators a safe place to drink 

4. Avoid pesticides: Accepting a few pests – like aphids – can help maintain a natural balance and feed beneficial insect larvae

5. Create nesting spots: Leave patches of bare soil for ground-nesting bees and install bee hotels in your outdoor space 

In Bristol and beyond, communities are already making space for pollinators – through school gardens, community plots and urban greening. Every flower planted is a step toward a more resilient food system. 

Want to learn more about growing your own food and flowers? Visit the brand-new RHS Badminton Flower Show, set in beautiful countryside just north of Bristol. It brings together gardening, food, craft and more – a perfect summer day out for garden lovers, foodies and families alike. Find out more.

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