Sue's guide to pollinator-friendly plants - perfect for country gardens or city oases.
As a garden designer, improving sustainability and biodiversity are at the core of my work. Our gardens play a crucial role in providing habitats for bees, butterflies and other pollinators and in this post I am going to list some of the ways we have encouraged pollinators into our clients' gardens. We used these specific plants in one of our recent projects to create a lively wildflower bed which sings with the sound of pollinators busy at work - if you would like to read more about that project please click here.
Wild Grasses
Wild grasses like meadow foxtail and purple moor grasses are excellent choices for a low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly garden. They provide shelter for insects and birds find their seeds a tasty snack.
Heleniums
Plant them densely and they will stand firm and upright or give them the Chelsea Chop in late May. They thrive in sunny parts of the garden and will start to flower from mid July to first frosts. They come in fierey hues of yellows, deep orange and burnt copper. The centres become more prominent after the petals fall and it's an option to keep them standing through the winter as a valuable food source for birds.
Dahlias
These flowers come in a dizzying array of colours, making them a show stopping centrepiece of any garden design. They provide a rich source of nectar and are loved by bumblebees and butterflies alike. As they bloom in late-summer, they are great for keeping pollinators coming back for more.
Sedums
Sedums otherwise known as Stonecrop or Hylotelephium spectabile are a magnet for bees - I've seen the plants smothered in a moving feast. Prevent these plants from getting too big and falling outwards by cutting them back by up to half to a third in late May. It will have huge benefits because they will develop a sturdy frame to cope with their heavy load in September. They don't mind a bit of shade or full sun - you choose!
Agastache
This is a personal favourite of mine. This fragrant herb is loved by pollinators, with the tubular flowers attracting bees and their aromatic foliage repelling pests. Remember to plant them in a sunny spot for maximum impact!
Echinaceas
This plants sturdy stems and colourful daisy-like blooms are a beacon for bees and butterflies alike. As they are perennials, they are a perfect option to add long-lasting colour to your garden.
All these plants help to create a stunning outdoor environment whilst also supporting our pollinators - vital to our natural ecosystem and the health of your garden. Get ready to welcome a crowd of buzzing visitors to your new, pollinator-friendly garden!
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch here.
Happy Gardening!
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