Cities in Bloom

An expanse of wildflowers is a stunning sight. But a wildflower meadow isn’t just nice to look at. It’s also doing important work. It promotes biodiversity × biodiversity the existence of many different types of plants and animals within an environment (noun) . It produces food for pollinators × pollinator something that carries pollen to a plant (noun) , such as bees and butterflies. And it provides a habitat for birds and small mammals.

LOCAL COLOR A vibrant wildflower meadow overlooks Liverpool, a city in northwest England.

Researchers in Warsaw, Poland, wondered if these vibrant habitats work at a smaller scale too. So they studied wildflower patches in urban areas. Their study was published in November 2024, in the journal Ecological Entomology. The study found that, though the city patches are only a fraction of the size of a meadow, they make a big impact on wildlife.

The size of a wildflower meadow or patch doesn’t prevent a diversity of species from visiting. Even small plots of urban wildflowers attract a wide variety of pollinators, including wild bees and hoverflies. These tiny creatures support healthy ecosystems.

DO YOUR PART A family waters flowers in front of their home. Even small flower patches can boost biodiversity.

Barbara Zajdel, the team’s lead researcher, calls the study “good news for city dwellers.” People who live in cities often don’t have room for more than a wildflower patch, she told TIME for Kids. But a patch can make a big difference. “Sowing even a small flower meadow attracts pollinating insects and ensures that they [can] collect the right amount of food,” Zajdel says.

Wildflower Week

Wildflower season begins in the spring. Since 1987, the first full week of May has been dubbed National Wildflower Week in the United States. This year, it begins on May 5.

The event is promoted by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, in Austin, Texas. Each year, people gather there to experience wildflowers in full bloom. Visitors can also learn about the flowers’ positive impact on the environment.

That impact continues long after wildflowers have bloomed, Demekia Biscoe says. She’s the Wildflower Center’s director of education. “Wildflowers support our ecosystem year-round,” she told TFK. Wildflowers have deep roots. When these flowers are planted in the ground, their roots help stabilize soil and increase its ability to absorb rainwater, both of which can reduce flooding.

Pollinator Support

If a person doesn’t have room to plant flowers in the ground, Biscoe advises planting them outside in pots or window boxes. “If everyone in my apartment building planted native flowers on their patio,” she says, “the bees would be very happy.”

BIG-CITY BUZZ An urban beekeeper manages a swarm of honeybees on a rooftop in a bustling city.

Zajdel agrees. She explains that some pollinators—bees, for example—aren’t able to fly very far from their nests in search of food. The more wildflowers they find nearby, the happier and healthier they’ll be. (Have you ever been on a road trip and needed to stop for a snack? Think of wildflower patches as a one-stop snack shop for pollinators.)

“Dispersing flower meadows, even small ones, in urban areas creates ‘life corridors’ for insects and other animals,” Zajdel says. For bees, birds, and bugs zooming around the city, a few flowers can be a lifeline.

Getting Involved

Want to promote biodiversity? Chrissy Word, director of education at New York’s City Parks Foundation, has a few tips. First, observe. Step outside. Immerse yourself in the natural world. Try an activity like birdwatching or gardening. Then get involved. Ask a teacher how you can help. Can you plant wildflowers somewhere nearby? Ask! Parks organizations offer after-school programs, too. Why not join? —By TFK Kid Reporter  Safiyyah Hussain