Earth Day - Why Wildflowers Matter
Words: Lauren Ashdown
At Ninety Percent, we’re a brand on a mission: to be the best for our customers, producers and the planet.
We are of the opinion that if we can do it better, and kinder, we will. We care about the past, present and future of the clothes we make and their impact in the world. With each new collection, working closely with our suppliers, we inch towards a more sustainable and transparent future.
Wildflowers are a significant part of the UK's biodiversity, playing a crucial role in supporting pollinators and enriching ecosystems.
This Earth Day, we wanted to highlight the importance of wildflowers. The UK has lost 97% of wildflower meadows since the 1930s — and with that, vital habitats for wildlife. But planting wildflowers can help reverse this loss and support local biodiversity.
Why Wildflowers Matter
Boosting Biodiversity
A single meadow can support over 100 species of wildflowers, which feed and shelter insects, birds, and mammals.
Supporting Pollinators
One acre of wildflower meadow can produce enough nectar to feed 96,000 honeybees in a single day. Over a third of the world’s food relies on pollinators — without them, growing crops would be challenging.
Reducing Flooding
Wildflower root systems stabilise soil, helping it absorb rainwater and prevent nutrients from washing away.
Medicine from Nature
Flowers like self-heal have antibiotic properties, while foxgloves provide compounds used to treat heart disease.
Fighting Climate Change
Grasslands store as much carbon as woodlands, helping to reduce greenhouse gases and support climate stability.
Discover our Earth Day edit, including a T-shirt and sweatshirt complete with wildflower logo embroidery.
For the next month, receive plantable wildflower seed paper with every UK order, so you can grow your own wildflowers at home and do your little bit to support the wildflower conservation efforts.
