Insect-friendly flower meadows – that’s what the seed bags, which are often bought in spring, promise. However, sowing some of the wild flower mixtures on offer – with the intention of doing something good for the environment – can have just the opposite effect. Johann Neumayer of the Nature Conservation Union took a closer look at conventional seed packaging.
In the spring they can be found in every supermarket and hardware store – wild flower seeds that are now sold under catchy names such as “healthy paradise”, “blossom festival” or “butterfly meadow”. The small, colorful seed sacs promise that once sown and in full bloom, their contents will be transformed into a veritable insect paradise. Often the wild flower mixtures are well-intentioned, but they do not contribute to the promotion of biodiversity, some even cause damage.
Often packs with non-native wildflowers
Johann Neumayer of the Nature Conservation Union and Sylvia Wanzenböck (Austrian Wild Bee Council) have examined 47 such seed sacs. His summary: Not only are common ornamental flowers and agricultural varieties often included in large quantities, but the majority of plant species present cannot be assigned to native wild plants. The problem with this is that non-native species often become established at the expense of native species and provide food for very few of our insects.
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However, a large number of our six-legged friends specialize in a few wild plant species and cannot do anything with ornamental and exotic plants. Many wild bees in particular are partly dependent on a certain plant family, because they need the specific pollen to provide their brood with sufficient nutrients. This research has shown that it is not always clear what exactly is in the seed sac. Often the species names of the plants are only given in German, sometimes half German and half scientific, and often misspelled.
Sow regional seeds
“This creates a lack of clarity about which plant species are actually involved,” explains biologist Neumayer. For many products, the packaging does not state at all which wild flowers we actually sow with the bag. The Nature Conservation Union therefore recommends that you look carefully when buying flower mixtures. If REWISA (regional wild plants and seeds) or G-Cert can be read on the packaging, the origin from Austria is guaranteed. This quality mark ensures that only local, regionally typical seeds are included.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
