Happy National Pollinator Week! Did you know wildflowers provide critical habitat for pollinators? But what are pollinators exactly? According to Pollinator Partnership, the non-profit organization that created National Pollinator Week, more than 200,000 species of beneficial insects such as flies, beetles, wasps, ants, butterflies and moths, and more than 1,000 vertebrates such as birds, bats and small mammals, are also pollinators!Since we at Nature Supply Co love both wildflowers and pollinators, we thought we would dive into why these beautiful flowers are so important - and the list extends well beyond the benefits to our pollinator friends! We also give you a few pointers on planting wildflowers yourself.

10 reasons why wildflowers are important:

1. They improve air quality.
2. Wildflowers improve soil health and prevent erosion. When wildflowers become established and spread their roots, they stabilize the surrounding soil. Without plants like wildflowers that stabilize the soil, nutrients can get washed away into nearby water systems. 
3. There is no need for weather protection because native wildflowers are perfectly suited to your area's weather conditions.
4. Wildflowers are an important part of the food chain for most, if not all, insects and animals.
5. They are a wonderful food source (in the form of leaves, nectar and pollen) for pollinating insects.
6. Many species of butterfly only lay their eggs on wildflowers.
7. They are easy to care for (less prone to disease and no need for fertilizers).
8. They improve water quality.
9. During winter when there is less food available, wildflower seeds can also be an important food source for birds and small mammals.
10. Wildflowers and wildflower-rich habitats support insects and other wildlife by providing shelter and places to breed. In return, insects pollinate the wildflowers, enabling them to develop seeds and spread to grow in other places.