Plants for Pollinators

The Importance of pollinators

Insects are the no.1 pollinator in your garden and are highly valuable to the biodiversity present, playing a crucial role in helping to keep your plants alive and thriving.

Most insects will feed on the nectar in plants, and collect the pollen as they feed. When they move from plant to plant, the pollen stuck to their bodies will spread, thus in turn pollinating the plants as they go.

Not only do insects pollinate our gardens, but they also form a key part of the wildlife food chain. The presence of insects in our gardens will attract other forms of wildlife, including birds and small mammals, further increasing the diversity present.

The benefit of plants for pollination

Almost all plants will serve as a food source or habitat for insects, but those with bright and floral blooms will be more attractive. Some of the most popular plants for insects include dahlias, lavender, marigolds, foxgloves, salvia, buddleja and alliums, to name but a few.

When deciding which plants to add to your garden for insects, a great rule of thumb is to look for plants with large flowers in bright colours, as insects will be drawn to them for their pollen and nectar.

Plants such as hellebores, forsythia, sarcococca, daphne and hamamelis are excellent food sources for late coming and early emerging pollinators.

Did you know – Buddleja are commonly known as ‘butterfly bushes’ due to them being a popular nectar source and attracting hundreds of butterflies at one time!

Perfect plants for pollinators

Dahlia - A bold and vivid herbaceous perennial with unique, geometric flowers; this plant is wildly popular throughout gardens for its impressive size and colours. Best when planted in a sunny position with well-draining soil, you could add these plants to pots for a stand out display, or within borders for a cluster of colours.

Marigold - This bright and floral plant is popular amongst gardens for their delicate flowers and strong scent. Easy to grow and found in a range of colours; marigolds are popular with a range of insects, making them great for growing around tomatoes to deter pests away from the fruits. While marigolds are only annuals, they are self-seeding and when carried by the wind, disperse seeds that can regrow the following year.

Foxgloves - Known for their glorious bell shaped flowers, foxgloves are tall and striking plants in a range of bright colours. These perennial plants thrive in a well-drained but moist soil, producing their eye-catching flowers during the second year of growth. You will often see bumble bees drawn to these plants, and their long tubular flowers create a great home for rest.

Salvia - Often mistaken for lavender, the salvia plant brings a thick array of colour to any area of the garden. Found in both hardy and tender varieties, this plant has long, upright stalks filled with delicate and colourful flowers. With preference to a sunny position and well-draining soil, these plants look great when planted densely in bedding pots or spread across borders.

Buddleja - Commonly known as a butterfly bush, these large and glorious shrubs are one of the most popular plants for pollinators. They have a woody stem, and can spread to a height of over two meters, making them great for as a statement plant. Should you be looking for a more reserved look, you can also plant these into large containers or pots to control their vast growth.

Alliums - These statement plants are great for adding height to your borders with their tall and uniformly shaped flower heads. Flowering in spring and early summer, these architectural plants are great when grouped together or planted amongst other flowers. With a preference to sunny positions and well-draining soil, these pollinator friendly plants are a great addition to any garden.