New research from the Universities of Oxford and Exeter has revealed that plant species recommended as 'pollinator friendly'* in Europe begin flowering up to a month too late in the spring to effectively contribute to bee conservation. This 'hungry gap' results in low colony survival and low production of queens for the following year. The results showed that pollen and nectar availability during the early colony founding stage is a critical, and previously under-appreciated, factor in bee colony success. This approach focuses on existing hedgerows in agricultural land and doesn't reduce farm cropping area, so can appeal to land managers whilst also providing important conservation outcomes for pollinators.