Information Board at Prestwood Nature Garden

Image: © David Hillas Taken: 21 Apr 2025

This information board is located at the Pollinator-Friendly garden off Greenlands Lane. It has the following wording: A Pollinator-Friendly Garden Providing a haven for wildlife Left section i) Welcome This garden is designed with pollinators in mind and demonstrates examples that can be tried in your own outdoor space. Please enjoy your time here with the plants and their pollinators - and notice how the garden changes throughout the year. ii) What are pollinators? Creatures that transfer pollen to the female part of the flower are pollinators. UK pollinators are mainly insects, and include over 250 bee species, including bumblebees. Beetles, flies, wasps, moths and butterflies also pollinate our flowers. iii) Pollinators matter because they: • Add biodiversity to habitats and help to keep ecosystems healthy. • Play a vital role in global food production - over 75% of food crops need pollinators. • Benefit ornamental gardens. • Are simply beautiful and fascinating to observe. Middle section Pollination and fruit development (1) Pollen is made in the anthers. (2) It is carried to the stigma - this is pollination (3) Then fertilisation occurs, and fruit development starts. i) Pollinators are in decline The health and abundance of insect pollinators are declining worldwide, due to changes in land management and the climate. ii) Modern farming practices mean flower-rich meadows are now rare, and there are fewer good quality flowers available for forage. iii) Climate change alters the geographical ranges of species and can cause the separation of insects from the plants that they rely on. iv) Habitat loss results in fewer suitable sites for nesting and overwintering. v) Systemic insecticides can have a significant, negative impact on pollinators. Right section We can all help However small your outdoor space is, you can try some of these ideas too, which will help to make it perfect for pollinators: • Provide flowers through as much of the year as possible - bees feed on nectar and pollen, and are active from February to October. • Grow a mixture of flower shapes. Open flowers (e.g. roses, asters) are great for short-tongued honeybees. Butterflies and moths have extremely long tongues and favour deep flowers (e.g.honeysuckle). • Avoid 'double flowers' as they may produce very little nectar or pollen. • Create pockets of interest with a mix of shady, damp and sunny areas. • Celebrate your 'weeds'. Bees and butterflies love thistles and dandelions, and the caterpillars of several butterflies feed on nettle foliage. Ivy flowers are a major nectar source late in the year. • Offer winter shelter by doing less tidying in the autumn. Ladybirds and lacewings can use hollow stems of plants like cow parsley. If you tidy leaves, store them in a heap where they will provide a safe winter home for caterpillars and pupae. Foot of the board From left to right: i) Prestwood Nature. Registered Charity No.1114685 The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service ii) Prestwood Nature developed this garden and looks after it. Find out more on our website, and let us know if you would like to get involved! www.prestwoodnature.org iii) Great Missenden Parish Council iv) Designed by www.naturesigndesign.co.uk

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