Pollinator-friendly plants

Plants that feed bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

A border that feeds bees and butterflies needs nectar and pollen across the longest possible season, not just a midsummer flush, so aim for something in flower from early spring through to the last warm days of autumn. Favour open, single flowers over blowsy doubles, which often hide or lack their pollen, and plant in generous drifts so foraging insects do not waste energy hunting single blooms. Avoid pesticides, and leave some seed heads standing over winter. A sunny, sheltered position keeps insects active and feeding. Native and near-native plants tend to support the widest range of species. The plants here are chosen as genuine nectar sources, sequenced to keep the table laid through the seasons.

Border Builder is a garden border planner for iPhone and iPad. Pick from the 1080 plants below and it works them into a full plan: how many of each, where they go, and how the bed reads through the seasons.

1080 plants for this

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