Filling the Hungry Gap for Pollinators: How Wildflowers and Early Bloomers Support Essential Insects

As spring emerges, many people notice the buzzing of bees and the appearance of butterflies on warmer days. What might be less apparent, however, is the critical role of early-flowering plants in bridging a period known as the "hungry gap."

This gap, from March to mid-May, marks a scarcity in flowering plants and, as a result, vital nectar sources for pollinators. Let’s take a closer look at how the natural blooming sequence helps pollinators survive the hungry gap, and how leaving space for wild species can offer flowers for free.

Early Blooms: Cherry Plum, Blackthorn, and More

Starting mid-March, early bloomers like cherry plum, goat willow (also known as gray willow or "pussy willow"), and dog violet begin flowering. These plants play an essential role in providing the first nectar of the season, supporting honeybees, bumblebees, solitary bees, and even butterflies. Unlike blackthorn, which blooms slightly later, cherry plum offers larger, star-shaped flowers, creating an accessible feast for pollinators.

• Cherry Plum: Identifiable by its green bark, cherry plum flowers before blackthorn, giving a head start to early foraging bees.
• Blackthorn: Known for its thorny branches, it blooms shortly after cherry plum, providing abundant nectar just as cherry plum finishes.
• Goat Willow: This dioecious plant, with separate male and female trees, offers highly accessible pollen, especially for bumblebees.
  
  

March to April: Ground Ivy, Dog Violet, and Primrose

From late March to April, ground ivy, dog violet, and primrose emerge, forming a much-needed "nectar corridor." Ground ivy, for instance, can only be sourced from wild seeds, making its role in the ecosystem even more crucial. Each plant adds to a diverse and staggered food supply, helping pollinators like the early queen bumblebees gain the energy they need to establish their nests.

• Dog Violet: A common wildflower that supports early solitary bees and butterflies.
• Primrose: A woodland bloom that attracts a wide range of early insects.
• Ground Ivy: Often overlooked, this low-growing plant is a favourite for solitary bees, offering blooms right above ground level.
  
  
  

April Showers Bring May Flowers: Dandelions, Hawthorn, and Dead Nettle

As April draws to a close, one of the most iconic flowers of spring, the dandelion, starts carpeting meadows and lawns. Dandelions are essential for the early pollinators, providing ample nectar and pollen as other wildflowers begin to emerge. In late April, hawthorn (or “May blossom”) starts to bud, just as blackthorn finishes its blooming phase, creating a seamless transition.

• Dandelion: Often considered a weed, dandelions are, in fact, a top pollinator resource. Their plentiful flowers attract bees and butterflies.
• Hawthorn: A hedge plant that blooms after its leaves appear, hawthorn is often associated with the month of May and is a valuable nectar source.
• Dead Nettle (Red and White): These flowering plants are particularly attractive to bumblebees and other long-tongued pollinators.
  
  
  

Filling the Hungry Gap Naturally: The Role of Trees and Shrubs

Trees and shrubs are also crucial to bridging the hungry gap. Species such as crabapple, sycamore, and field maple flower earlier than many other trees, offering sustenance to small insects and bees. By mid-May, even species like the horse chestnut provide their famous “candles” of flowers, allowing bees to gather nectar high above the ground.

• Crabapple: A common hedgerow tree with small, attractive blossoms that supports both bees and early butterflies.
• Sycamore and Field Maple: Although less well-known for their flowers, these trees produce small blossoms loved by pollinators.
• Horse Chestnut: The tall, flowering “candles” of the horse chestnut attract a variety of pollinators, adding diversity to the food sources.
  
  
  

Why Allowing Wildflowers to Thrive is Crucial

Many of the flowers that support early-season pollinators, such as ground ivy and dead nettle, are not commercially available. This makes natural growth in uncultivated areas essential. By creating a haven of undisturbed space for wildflowers, farmers and gardeners can help ensure a healthy pollinator population, which, in turn, supports food production later in the year.

For farmers, leaving wildflower borders or “untidy corners” can provide significant benefits. Even a small area of natural growth can deliver ample blooms, sustaining early pollinators until sown flower mixes and agricultural crops, such as oilseed rape, start to bloom.

Recap: Observing the Hungry Gap Through Nature’s Eyes

Over six weeks of walking and observing, one point becomes clear: many of the best pollinator plants are those that grow freely in the wild. Nature has a staggered way of providing nectar sources, ensuring that various flowers bloom in sequence, supporting an uninterrupted food source for pollinators from March to May. In fact, only a few plants that bridge the hungry gap are commercially available—among them, cowslip, primrose, and dandelion. The rest are flowers nature delivers for free.

Supporting Pollinators Year-Round

As we move from the hungry gap into early summer, commercial sown flower mixes will begin to bloom, adding to the food sources for pollinators. But without wildflowers and early bloomers, many insects wouldn’t survive long enough to enjoy them. Farmers and landowners play a vital role in bridging this gap by managing hedgerows and leaving areas of natural growth.

To help pollinators thrive, consider incorporating more early-flowering plants into your space and allowing areas for wildflowers to flourish. By giving pollinators a chance, you contribute to a balanced, thriving ecosystem that supports both wildlife and agriculture.