A giant ‘Bee Pit Stop’ adorned with thousands of pollinating flowers has been constructed in King’s Cross, London to raise awareness of the steep decline in the UK’s bee-friendly habitats.
Rapid urban development, alongside factors such as climate change, has made safe spaces with suitable flowers harder to come by, forcing bees to travel increasing distances between areas that are suitable for them to feed and nest.
Revealed yesterday (13 May) outside King’s Cross station, the billboard measures nearly 36m² and features thousands of flowers across 17 different varieties, with over 500 plugs of lavender and an abundance of spurges, salvia and sedum.
The installation comprises hexagonal sections that represent the structure of honeycomb, as well as two overhanging arms that mimic the shape of bee antennae.
Created by B&Q in collaboration Matt Childs, designer of the RHS award-winning ‘B&Q Bursting Busy Lizzie Garden’, the aim of the ‘Bee Pit Stops’ is to encourage the nation to plant one million individual bee pit stops in outdoor spaces across the country. A bee pit stop is a dedicated area populated with bee-friendly flowers.
Whether it’s a whole pollinator flower bed or just a pot of lavender on a balcony, a bee pit stop is a safe space for bees to rest and refuel, which Brits can easily create in their own outdoor space.
‘The livelihood of bees is intrinsically tied to ours so it’s incredibly important that we do our part to save the bees – the consequences are dire if we don’t act.
‘We know that UK gardeners are increasingly eco-conscious and want to create outdoor spaces that are kind to nature and wildlife, but it’s imperative Britain takes action, and there is still more we can all do to make our gardens a haven for bees. Whether you’re planting a pot of lavender on your urban balcony, or a dedicated pollinator bed in your garden, it’s a lot easier than many think to create a ‘bee pit stop’ so we want as many people to get involved as possible.’
STEVE GUY
Outdoor Market director at B&Q
The installation comes as new research reveals that over half (54%) of Brits consider themselves ‘eco-conscious’, with 85% saying they would like to see more bee-friendly spaces – especially in urban areas.
However, 22% don’t think their outdoor space is inviting to bees, and half don’t know how to make their own outdoor space bee-friendly. The main barriers cited are lack of know-how (31%) or not knowing where to start (29%).
A spokesperson from Greenpeace, added: ‘Bees together with bugs are important and essential pollinators. Four out of every 10 forkfuls of food off your plate are down to the bees. It’s vital that we do everything possible to encourage and protect them. Not only are they at risk from powerful and unnecessary pesticides they also suffer from pests and parasites capable of decimating their hives. Greenpeace agrees that the benefits of planting nectar-rich wildflowers and encouraging bees into your lives will make a real difference and help to build back those lost colonies and make you happy.’
Sorry we don't have any suggested related content at the moment. Please check back later.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Weekly ethical news, offers, comps and a free digital mag (quarterly) – what’s not to love?
