Planting for the Future

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Westfield Stratford supported the planting of wildflower gardens in 4 local schools

Project Overview

Planting in schools is a fantastic way to create invertebrate habitats and inspire the younger generation’s passion for wildlife and nature. Children learn about pollinator’s super-powers: they pollinate our crops, recycle nutrients and build fertile soils, provide medicines and sustain a planet rich in birds, flowers and fruit.

Children also learn about the challenges invertebrates are facing, including the loss of wildflower habitats, and what we can do to protect them. Wildflower, vegetable and herb gardens provide an important source of food and habitat for insects. It’s another stepping stone in the landscape for invertebrates and a valuable resource for connection, play and discovery.

Depending on the school grounds, the species planted can attract bumblebees, butterflies, honey bees, hoverflies and much more. Children receive a talk from a bug expert to spark curiosity around what species they can spot and how the school can help monitor the pollinators that enjoy the new area.

Thank you Westfield Stratford for helping local schools care for and connect with local wildlife.

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Project Statistics

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4

Number of schools with new green spaces

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166

Number of children engaged

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Testimonials

"This is a testimony of a fun gardening experience that took place with Mr Cooper, parents volunteers, staff and some Year 5 children. Last Wednesday afternoon, we all gathered outside, armed with seeds, trowels , other garden tools and lots of excitement. Mr Cooper, the gardening expert, showed the kids how to smooth the ground and how to mix the seeds with sand. He also showed the children how to sow the seeds. The kids were excited to learn about the plants they had been planting. They enjoyed wearing the cute little gloves and to use the trowels provided by Mr Cooper. What made the experience extra special was seeing how gardening brought parents, staff and children altogether. It was a rewarding experience for the children. Thank you Mr Cooper - looking forward to seeing our colourful meadows in Spring next year. Conor’s involvement with our pupils through the BugLife project has truly been transformative. From the outset, his passion and depth of knowledge about biodiversity and ecosystems have not only engaged our pupils. but also sparked a new curiosity and appreciation for the natural world around them. During the recent visit to Keir Hardie Primary School, Conor skillfully connected the pupils' existing knowledge of the upcoming topic on plants. This seamless integration has laid a solid foundation for them to understand the relationship between different components of an ecosystem. The pupils are now genuinely excited about how these elements interconnect—a shift from seeing rocks, plants, and pollinators as isolated aspects to viewing them as integral parts of a larger ecological picture. Conor’s hands-on approach and relatable explanations have significantly enhanced the students’ learning experience. He has brought their science lesson to life by guiding them in understanding how the impact that increased plant biodiversity can have on pollinators, which aligns with BugLife’s mission to expand the range of pollinators in our school grounds. This real-world purpose has added a sense of importance to their learning, and many students have shown a keen interest in helping to create a more diverse, pollinator-friendly environment. One student exclaimed, “I want to grow more plants at home too to help honey bees!” Another shared, “Conor made science feel like an adventure. We had so much fun.” Their enthusiasm has been heartening, and it’s clear that they’re not just learning facts—they’re developing a genuine interest in the natural world. Through his work with the pupils, Conor has encouraged a new level of engagement and excitement about science, making the subject feel relevant and impactful. His influence has been invaluable, and the positive changes we see in our pupils’ attitudes and understanding are a testament to the lasting impact of his work - Teacher, Roman Road Primary School. We had a fun time planting and learnt a lot about organic soil and living creatures - Teacher, Keir Hardie Primary School. Thank you so much Bug Life for sharing your knowledge & passion for caring for the planet with us - Teacher, Elmhurst Primary School."

Planting for the Next Generation

Roman Road Primary School, London provides a stimulating, secure, safe and happy environment, which enables each child to reach his or her full potential. It is a medium sized primary school which celebrates the diverse community it serves in the heart of East London. The school has lots of outdoor space, including a play park, an astroturf sports pitch and a large area used for outdoor learning sessions. In September 2024, Year 5 children, staff and parent volunteers worked together to create a wildflower garden on the school grounds. Firstly, the children put on their gardening gloves and learnt how to use a trowel. Excited to start digging, the children created small holes for plug plants and prepared the ground. The class learned how to mix seed with sand, to get an even coverage, and how to scatter the seeds. Our bug expert shared the importance of the planting for pollinators which gave the class a sense of achievement that they were helping nature and local wildlife. The school also reported how the session brought everyone together.

Keir Hardie Primary School, London has a Sustainability & Growing (Outdoor Learning) programme as part of their curriculum enrichment which includes gardening, mini beast hunts, farm visits, eco activities and planting. This helps to promote their values of community spirit and mutual respect and prepares children to become responsible, confident members of a global society who can apply their knowledge and skills to all future learning and active citizenship. As part of their Science studies, Year 3 pupils participated in this biodiversity workshop where they learnt about declining insect populations, biodiversity in soil and how we can help protect local wildlife. Firstly, children cleared Autumn leaves from an area in a planter, just in front of a tall hedge. Once the soil was exposed, the children worked together to dig holes for the plug plants and sow wildflower seeds.

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Elmhurst Primary School's, London motto is Little Seeds, Big Dreams. The school cares passionately about children’s education and goes the extra mile to help every child reach their full potential. Year 1 enjoyed a thought-provoking workshop to learn all about pollinators. The children learn about different insect species and what they need for shelter, food and travel. The children also read a book with author, Kathy Urban.

Wildflowers & Grasses Planted

Marjoram

Marjoram: Origanum majorana

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Marjoram: Origanum majorana

Wild marjoram, loved by bees, other pollinating insects and humans alike, can be found on chalk or limestone grassland, hedge banks, woodland rides and scrub. Often called oregano in Europe, marjoram is best known as a pizza herb, and is important in both Greek and Italian cuisine. Wild Marjoram has been traditionally used to treat colds, indigestion and stomach upsets.

Wild Thyme

Wild Thyme: Thymus Serpyllum

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Wild Thyme: Thymus Serpyllum

Wild Thyme is a low-growing herbaceous plant, belonging to the mint family, Lamiaceae. It thrives in dry, rocky soils across Europe and North America. This resilient herb's distinct fragrance and flavour make it a popular addition to gardens and kitchens. Once established, thyme is usually easy growing if in a suitably warm, sunny location. Many thymes also produce a mass of white, pink or lilac-coloured flowers over the summer.

Wild basil

Wild basil: Clinopodium vulgare

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Wild basil: Clinopodium vulgare

Wild basil adds a refreshing scent to natural environments and flavour to food. It’s a herbaceous perennial plant that is easy to grow and enjoyed by humans and pollinators. Its leafy greens make delicious pesto and salads whilst pollinators enjoy nectar from its purple-pink flowers that bloom in Summer.

Mint

Mint: Mentha

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Mint: Mentha

Mint is an easy-growing herb that thrives in well-drained, fertile soil in light shade. In fact, Mint can be invasive so it’s best planted in pots; it’s easy to grow with cuttings and can be used in teas and salads. Mint has long been valued for its ability to aid digestion, relieve nasal congestion and stimulate relaxation.

Chive

Chive: Allium schoenoprasum

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Chive: Allium schoenoprasum

Chives are relatively easy to grow and are suitable for both garden and container cultivation. They prefer well-drained soil and thrive in partial shade to full sun. Chives are delicious in food and will attract pollinators to the garden. Being from the onion family, their strong scent can repel certain garden pests, acting as a natural deterrent.

Sage

Sage: Salvia officinalis

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Sage: Salvia officinalis

Sage is a perennial herb belonging to the mint family, Lamiaceae. It’s an evergreen so you can pick the leaves all year round. They have the best strong and earthy flavour before the flowers appear and are best picked late in the morning or early evening when the aromatic oils are concentrated in the leaves.

Over time, this meadow should be home to a rich variety of wildlife which could include…

Buff-tailed bumblebee: Bombus terrestris

Buff-tailed bumblebee

These are the giants of the bumblebee world, and the whole species is named after the buff colour of their queen’s tail. They can be found in the UK’s lowlands, nesting underground in very large groups. These insects are very fond of nectar, and if they can’t easily reach it with their tongues, they will bite a hole in the flower to suck it out.

Common Carder Bee: Bombus Pascuorum

Common Carder Bee

This relatively small ginger-coloured bumblebee is widespread throughout the UK, in habitats including farms, woods and gardens. Carder bees have very long tongues and feed on heather, clover and lavender. They often nest in old mouse runs and disused birds’ nests.

Red-tailed Bumblebee: Bombus Lapidarius

Red-tailed Bumblebee

This is an abundant species of bumblebee that is found all over the UK. This social bee nests in disused burrows, under stones or at the base of old dry stone walls. Both males and females have the eponymous red tails as well as velvety black bodies and transparent wings.

Shrill Carder Bee: Bombus Sylvarum

Shrill Carder Bee Stamp

The shrill carder bee is one one of the rarest bumblebees in the UK, and is only found in a handful of locations, including the Newport Wetlands in South Wales. This bee has a distinctly high-pitched buzz, which is why it got the moniker “shrill”. Carder bees have very long tongues which they stick into flowers so that they can suck nectar.

Brown-banded Carder Bee: Bombus Humilis

Brown-banded Carder Bee Stamp

The brown-banded carder bee is a bumblebee that favours heaths and dry, open grasslands. It has a chestnut-coloured thorax and strawberry-blond abdomen, but there are a few black hairs at the base of its wings. Populations have declined because of habitat loss, but this bee can be found in clusters in north Cornwall and Newport in South Wales, for example.

Honeybee: Apis Mellifera

Honeybee

Honeybees have six legs, four wings and five eyes. They use the Sun, and possibly the Earth’s magnetic fields, to navigate, and they can fly at speeds of up to 20mph when in search of food. At the height of summer there are around 40,000 honeybees in each hive, and that number drops to around 5,000 in the winter.

Tawny Mining Bee: Andrena Fulva

Tawny Mining Bee

These furry, ginger bees are commonly found in parks and gardens across southern Britain during April and May. They feed from a wide variety of plants including dandelions, buttercups, willows and fruit trees. Tawny mining bees often make their nests in lawns and flowerbeds or in orchards where they can be close to apple, pear and cherry blossom for example.

Red Mason: Osmia Rufa

Red Mason

Also known as the red mason bee, this insect can be found in cities, towns and villages across Britain and Europe. Females make their homes and lay their eggs in wall cavities, under roof tiles and even inside keyholes, lining their nests with mud. These bees are excellent pollinators, particularly of apple trees.

Marmalade Hoverfly: Episyrphus Balteatus

Marmalade Hoverfly

The marmalade hoverfly is so-called because it is orange with black stripes that are thin or “thick cut” just like the popular preserve! It is Britain’s most common hoverfly and can be seen in parks, gardens, hedgerows and woods. They are present all year round, but numbers are often much higher in the summer when marmalade hoverflies migrate to the UK from abroad.

Drone Fly: Eristalis Tenax

Drone Fly

This insect’s patchy brown and orange body makes it look a lot like the male honeybee, which is a very effective way to keep it safe from predators. Drone flies also copy honeybee flight patterns as they move around in search of nectar. Their larvae, nicknamed “rat-tailed maggots”, feed on rotting organic material in stagnant water.

Pellucid Hoverfly: Volucella Pellucens

Pellucid Hoverfly

This large black fly has a white stripe on its body and black spots on its transparent wings. It can be found throughout most of Britain and Ireland, and is often seen feasting on bramble flowers in hedgerows or on the edge of woodland. The larvae develop in wasp nests where they feed on detritus wasp grubs.

Large Narcissus Fly: Merodon Equestris

Large Narcissus Fly

This medium-sized hoverfly looks very much like a bumblebee, which provides great protection against predators. This insect loves warm, sunny spots full of flowers, like gardens in the summer. Females lay their eggs on the leaves of bulbous plants such as bluebells and daffodils, and the larvae then burrow into the bulbs, feeding on them and causing some damage.

Soldier Beetle: Cantharis Rustica

Soldier Beetle

The soldier beetle makes its home in open woodland or anywhere where there is tall grass. These carnivorous predators are common throughout England and Wales, where they can be seen from May to July. The adults prefer to hunt for food on flowers, while their larvae live on the ground, feeding on a range of other creatures.

7-spot Ladybird: Coccinella Septempunctata

7-spot Ladybird

These ladybirds are easy to identify because, just as you might expect, they have a pattern of seven black spots on their red wing cases. They are our most common ladybirds, found in parks and gardens throughout the UK. Ladybirds use their bright colours to warn predators that they won’t taste good, but it doesn’t always work!

Rose Chafer: Cetonia Aurata

Rose Chafer

These beetles have distinctive green and purple-bronze iridescent bodies, making them easy to identify. They love crawling on flowers on sunny days, when they shimmer in the light and look even more striking. Their favourite source of food, as the name indicates, is the rose, and the dog rose in particular.

Flower Beetle: Oedeomera Nobilis

Flower Beetle

This beetle is so-called because the male of the species has large green bulges on its hind thighs, whereas the female does not. It used to be quite rare, but is now a very abundant species throughout the UK. You should be able to spot the adults without too much difficulty, as they like to feed on open flowers like daisies

Peacock Butterfly: Inachis Io

Peacock Butterfly

This common British butterfly gets its name from the large spots on its wings, which are reminiscent of peacock feathers. These markings help to scare off predators in the woods, gardens and parks where they live. They hibernate in winter, folding up their wings to show the dull undersides so that they can blend in with their surroundings while they sleep.

6-spot Burnet: Zygaena Filipendulae

6-spot Burnet

You are most likely to spot this medium-sized moth flying around in the daytime between June and August. It has six red spots on each of its glossy black forewings. If attacked, the burnet moth will release cyanide, so the spots serve as a warning to predators that this species is poisonous.

Red Admiral: Vanessa Atalanta

Red Admiral

These large red, white and black butterflies have very powerful wings. Most of the magnificent red admirals that we see in the UK start off in North Africa and migrate north, arriving here from late March onwards and staying until autumn. Male red admirals court their females for several hours before they begin mating.

Holly Blue: Celastrina Argiolus

Holly Blue

This stunning, vibrant, blue butterfly can be seen across most of the UK, but is most common in England and Wales. Caterpillars feed on holly and ivy buds, digging into them and eating what is inside. Holly blues are very popular in Finland, where they have been elevated to the status of national butterfly!

Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly: Aglais Urticae

Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

The small tortoiseshell is one of the UK’s most common and beloved butterfly species. Females lay their eggs on stinging nettles, before caterpillars hatch around ten days later. When courting, the males beat their antennae on the females’ hindwings.

Common Wasp: Vespula Vulgaris

Common Wasp

Anyone who has ever tried to have a summer picnic will be familiar with this yellow and black striped insect which can be found all over the UK. Queens first come out of hibernation at the very start of spring and start to look for suitable nesting sites in a range of habitats. Wasps will try to eat anything sweet, and although we might think of them as pests, they are useful pollinators.

Ruby-tailed Wasp: Chrysis Ignita

Ruby-tailed Wasp

Ruby-tailed wasps are often called “cuckoo wasps” because they lay their eggs in other insects’ nests. Shiny and turquoise with a rich red abdomen, they are strikingly beautiful in appearance. Ruby-tailed wasps have a sting, but don’t tend to use it.

Mason Wasp: Ancistrocerus Parietum

Mason Wasp

This wasp is native to Europe and North America and gets its name because it likes to build its nests in walls. Mason wasps have black bodies with yellow stripes and narrow waists. Female mason wasps are slightly larger than males, and can control the gender of their offspring.

Red Wasp: Vespula Rufa

Red Wasp

This wasp is so-called because it has reddish-brown markings on its body. Red wasps make their nests in tree stumps, using leaf litter and soil. Badgers often destroy the nests, eating them along with the wasps, as their thick hair and skin protects them from being stung.

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