• Aim to have plants that are attractive to pollinating insects in flower from early spring to late autumn.
• Grow garden plants with flowers that attract pollinating insects.
• Avoid plants with double or multi-petalled flowers. Such flowers may lack nectar and pollen, or insects may have difficulty in gaining access.
• Never use pesticides on plants when they are in flower.
• Where appropriate, British wildflowers can be an attractive addition to planting schemes and may help support a wider range of pollinating insects.
• Observe the plants in your garden. If you know of plants with blooms that regularly attract insects, let us know.
• Encourage bees by keeping honeybees yourself or allowing a beekeeper to place hives in your garden.

 

We have compiled our top 10 bee friendly plants to help gardeners identify plants that will provide nectar and pollen for bees and many other types of pollinating insects:

 

1. Astrantia major

2. Buddleja davidii

3. Caryopteris x clandonensis

4. Dahlia

5. Hardy Geraniums

6. Hydrangea

7. Lavandula angustifolia

8. Lavatera olbia

9. Papaver orientale - oriental poppy

10. Verbena bonariensis