Benefits of Wildflowers
Wildflowers can sometimes be viewed pests. They grow in great numbers and some are tall and skinny, resembling weeds at times. However, wildflowers come in many different colors and can be very aesthetically pleasing. They also have several environmental benefits!
Wildflowers:
Attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Pollinators are important for the growth of flowers and food.
Help clean pollutants from rain water that runs off of driveways, yards, streets and sidewalks during storms.
Prevent soil erosion. Roots from wildflowers and other plants help hold the soil in place.
Create shelter for beneficial predators – animals that gobble up pesky insects, such as toads.
Image courtesy of US Forest Service.
Learn some interesting facts about wildflowers!
- There are over 20,000 species of wildflowers growing in America!
- Wildflowers that use scent to attract pollinators can be detected up to one kilometer, or .62 miles, away.
- Wildflowers that are yellow or red tend to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Images courtesy of the US Forest Service.
