Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators are not only a joy to watch fluttering around the garden — they’re essential to healthy ecosystems. These hardworking insects help plants reproduce, boost biodiversity, and keep many of the fruits, vegetables, and flowers we love growing strong.
The good news? Your garden can become a haven for them with just a few thoughtful planting choices. Read on to learn about the best flowers to attract and support pollinators, helping you create a thriving bee-friendly garden that gives back to nature.
What are pollinator plants?
Pollinator plants are essential to healthy ecosystems as they provide resources like nectar and pollen to various pollinators, including bees, butterflies and other insects. These types of plants play a role in supporting biodiversity and ensuring the reproduction of many flowering plants that attract bees and butterflies and food crops.
What type of plants do bees like?
The truth is, all plants are loved by pollinators, but there are a few particular varieties that keep them coming back for more!
Plants of a certain flower colour
Bees are especially drawn to blue, purple, white, and yellow flowers, while butterflies often like bright colors like red, orange, pink, and purple.
Plants that are easy to land on and feed from
Open, flat, or shallow flowers are easier for bees to feed from; butterflies like flat "landing pad" flowers where they can perch and sip nectar.
Plants with a strong scent
Many pollinators are attracted by strong, sweet-smelling flowers, which help them find nectar from a distance.
Plants with high nectar and pollen content
Some plants naturally produce more nectar or richer, more nutritious pollen, making them a better food source.
Top tip:
The bloom timing of plants makes a difference to pollinators. It's best to plant a succession of blooms throughout the seasons ensures bees and butterflies always have a food supply when they're active.
Native species are often more appealing to local pollinators because they've evolved together and match their feeding needs perfectly.
What are the best bee friendly flowers?
Every plant in your garden plays a role in supporting bees and other pollinators, but some plants are particularly beloved by these vital insects. While flowers provide nectar and pollen, certain species offer more abundant resources or are better suited to the needs of specific pollinators.
Here is a list of different flowers suitable for pollinators:
Lavender
Lavender is a good pollinator plant as it produces a large amount of nectar and has a strong fragrance that attracts many different types of pollinators, especially bees and butterflies.
Its flowers are rich in nectar which provides energy for pollinators and they bloom throughout the growing season, offering a good food source. Its colour attracts bees. As it is drought-tolerant and easy to grow, it is a good addition to bee-friendly gardens.
Buddleia
The plant known as butterfly bush is a good pollinator plant because its large, cone-shaped clusters of small, tubular flowers are rich in nectar and attract a wide variety of pollinators. This flower blooms over a long period, often from summer into fall, providing a consistent nectar source when other plants may not be flowering.
Foxgloves
Their tall spikes of tubular flowers, typically in different colour shades are designed to appeal to bees by providing easy access to nectar. The flower's shape encourages bees to visit multiple blooms along the stem, increasing cross-pollination.
With a long blooming period from late spring to summer, this flower offers a steady food source for pollinators during this time, helping to support local bee populations.
Borage
This flower is considered a good pollinator because it produces large amounts of nectar that attract many pollinators. Its brightly coloured, sweet sense flowers bloom over a long season, providing a food source through summer and autumn. The shape of the flower makes it easy for pollinators to access nectar.
Echinacea
Is a good pollinator flower because it produces large flowers with abundant pollen and nectar that attract a wide range of pollinators. Echinacea adapts well to the local ecosystem and is beneficial for pollinators and adapts well in bee friendly gardens.
Perovskia
This flower is rich in nectar, attracting a wide range of pollinators. The flowers have light colours and emit a pleasant fragrance, which draws pollinators from a distance. It provides a reliable food source during a time when many other plants may not be flowering.
Why are pollinator friendly plants important?
Pollinator-friendly plants support the food chain
Pollinators like bees, butterflies and insects are vital for helping plants produce fruits, seeds and other food resources. These plants support wildlife and also humans who rely on crops for food. Without pollinators multiple plants would fail to reproduce, weakening food chains and a threat for ecosystems. Protecting pollinators is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and a stable food supply.
Pollinator-friendly plants promote biodiversity
By attracting a diverse range of pollinators, these plants have a role in fostering a vibrant and harmonious ecosystem within your garden. The presence of bees, butterflies and other insects support the growth of various plant species and encourages health of the environment. It creates a balanced web of life where different plants can thrive in mutual support. It enhances soil, sustains natural habitats and makes your garden thrive.
Pollinator-friendly plants keep flowers reproducing
Pollinators play a role in reproduction of many plants by transferring pollen from one flower to another. This process is crucial for fertilisation as it enables plants to produce seeds that are necessary for the growth of new generations.
Without the transfer of pollen many plants would struggle to reproduce, limiting their ability to grow. Pollinators carry the pollen to initiate the fertilisation process. This process supports the food chain to grow through bee friendly flowers.
How to create a pollinator friendly garden
Creating a pollinator-friendly garden for friendly bees is one of the most rewarding ways to contribute to the health of local ecosystems white also enhancing the beauty of your outdoor space. Pollinators like bees, butterflies and other insects play a crucial role in the environment, helping plants reproduce and supporting food systems.
By designing a garden that caters to these important creatures, you can provide them with the resources they need to thrive. This blog will take you through simple yet effective ways to transform your garden into a pollinator haven. Selecting the correct plants for a pollinator garden can enhance your garden by supporting biodiversity.
Plant a variety of flowers
Choose a mix of plants that bloom all year round so pollinators have food all year round. The more variety you have in your garden the bigger variety of insects, bugs, bees and butterflies you’ll attract.
Use native plants
Native plants are better adapted to local pollinators and often provide the best nectar and pollen sources. People can start by checking local resources to find native plants in their area such as botanical gardens, native plant societies… Using online resources can help people find out which plants are in their area through plant databases and apps.
Avoid pesticides
Chemicals can harm bees, butterflies, and other helpful insects that are essential for pollination and maintaining a healthy garden ecosystem. Pesticides disrupt natural pest control and contaminate soil and water resources. Consider using natural alternatives such as neem oil, insecticidal soaps… placing certain plants together to deter pests is an effective and eco-friendly method.
Provide shelter and nesting spots
Leave some wild areas, install bee hotels for solitary bees, or leave logs, rocks, and dry soil patches for pollinators to nest and rest which make up a large part of native bee species. By incorporating natural materials it ensures that pollinators have the spaces they need to thrive all year during any season.
Add a water source
A shallow dish with water and some stones for landing can give pollinators a safe place to drink especially during hot and dry weather. Make sure to change the water regularly to keep it clean. You could also add a puddle patch by keeping a damp area of soil with minerals as it supports the health and hydration of pollinators, for them to keep working.
By selecting the right plants you can contribute towards a healthier ecosystem where bees, butterflies and insects continue to thrive!