Wildflowers are a lifeline for many insects and pollinators, yet they are being lost at an alarming rate due to industrialised agriculture and urbanisation. A staggering 97 per cent of wildflower meadows in the UK have disappeared since World War II, and there have been recent reports that insect numbers have plunged by half in some parts of the world.
Thankfully, we can all easily lend honeybees, bumblebees, hoverflies, butterflies (and more!) a hand by planting the right kinds of wildflowers in our gardens and window boxes. With a little bit of care and watering, once in bloom they will provide a vital source of nectar, as well as looking beautiful. Seed bombs make it as easy as the flick of the wrist and are the perfect present for wildlife lovers.
For more ideas on how to attract wildlife into your garden, head to our wildlife gardening hub, including best gifts for wildlife gardeners, a step-by-step guide on how to make a bee hotel, and a discussion on how do you deal with ‘pests’ if you love wildlife.
What are seed bombs?
Essentially they are small balls or pellets of compacted compost with a mixture of wildflower seeds embedded within them. Sometimes they contain clay to prevent animals from eating the seeds. The wonderful thing about seed bombs is that once you water them, or it rains, the compost 'bomb' will fall apart and act as a growing medium for the germinating seeds.
This makes them ideal for children, the elderly or those with physical disabilities as no digging is required – simply throw them into your flower bed, pot or window box. It's important to note that seed bombs containing non-native species should not be used outside of gardens as they may have a detrimental impact on wild native flora.
Autumn or spring are ideal times to plant seed bombs. The seedlings will appear after a few weeks and with a bit of luck you'll have flowers – and most importantly, visiting bees and butterflies – during the spring and summer months.
For a low-cost alternative, you could collect or buy seed and make your own wildflower seed bombs or try making seed paper – plantable paper that makes fantastic environmentally friendly gift tags or greetings cards. It's easy and the perfect way to while away a rainy afternoon, especially with any bored children!
Best wildflower seed bombs
Seedball mixes
Seedball has a good selection of seed bomb mixes to choose from, including Butterfly, Bee, Shade, Sky Meadow, Urban Meadow, Hedgehog and Poppy. Each tin contains 20 balls and each ball in the butterfly mix pictured here contains approximately 30 seeds from plants such as yarrow, purple loosestrife, red campion, forget-me-not and musk mallow.
The balls are coated in clay to stop the seeds being eaten by animals and also have added chilli powder to deter slugs and snails from eating the young shoots. You'll be pleased to know that the compost is peat-free and the tins are 100% recyclable or can be re-used.
Buy individual tins from £6.99, sets of three from £17.97 or a bumper pack of 6 for £35.
Beebombs Native Wildflower Seedballs
Handmade in Dorset, Beebombs wildflower meadow seed bombs are made using fine, sifted soil and locally sourced clay. All their seeds are from native species and have been designated by the Royal Horticultural Society as "Perfect for Pollinators". The mix is 50 per cent annuals and 50 per cent perennials, and contains 18 British wildflowers, including corn chamomile, cornflower, salad burnet, oxeye daisy, wild carrot and common knapweed. Beebombs say that one pack provides coverage for roughly 2m² of wildflower meadow.
The cute hessian sack makes the packaging very sustainable and attractive, and these would make lovely presents or wedding favours.
Kabloom Seedboms
Kabloom's seed bomb offering is a little different – more a grenade than lots of mini bombs! A starch-based, 100% compostable shell is filled with organic, peat-free compost and pollinator-friendly wildflower seeds. First you shake it, then you pop off the cap/'pull the pin' and soak the contents for 5-1o minutes, before throwing onto bare soil and watching the plants grow.
The Pollinator Beebom pictured contains a bumblebee- and honey bee-friendly seed mix made up of cornflower, vipers bugloss, wild marjoram, red clover, borage and phacelia. Plus, 10 per cent of the profits from Pollinator Beebom sales go directly into projects that help the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.
Additional seed bomb mixes from Kabloom include Butterflybom, Wilderbom, Starflower, Cornflower Fairy Lights and Featherbed.
Square Seed Wildflower Seed Bombs
This Square Seed Wildflower Seed Bomb gift set may look like a selection of soaps, but each of the 10 bars actually contains six 1cm³ seed cubes. Easily broken apart, they can simply be thrown, crushed underfoot or crumbled like a stock cube direct onto soil!
Unlike some of the other seed bombs on the market, Square Seed's offering is aimed at creating bee-friendly lawns. The gift set features five varieties of traditional English lawn wildflowers (two bars of each variety), comprising selfheal, daisy, red clover, forget-me-not and white clover. The seed-bomb cubes can be planted on bare patches in your lawn or on neglected ground.
Each bar is handmade and the packaging is plastic-free and 100% biodegradable. Choose to give as one generous gift or divide up for the perfect stocking filler.
Urban Sprout Wildflower Seed Bomb Kit
Make your own seed bombs with this DIY kit complete with soil, clay, bowl, spoon, measuring cup and step-by-step instructions. Once you've made them, they're ready to throw onto the ground, or you could package them up and give them as presents to friends and family.
The kit contains only wildflowers that are native to the UK and from the RHS Plants for Pollinators list. There is a variety of heights and colours with poppies, yarrow, foxglove, red clover and daisy all in the mix.
