Pollinators are the unsung heroes of the garden. Without them, we’d have far fewer flowers, fruits, and vegetables and a lot less life buzzing around.

At Wild Roots Gardening, we believe in giving pollinators a warm welcome. The good news? You don’t need a huge wildflower meadow to make a difference. Even a few well-chosen plants can turn your garden into a haven for bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and more.

Why pollinators matter

Pollinators are essential for fertilising flowers, which leads to fruits and seeds. Over 75% of flowering plants depend on them including many of our favourite crops like apples, beans, and berries.

They also support a rich food web that includes birds, mammals, and other insects. In short: help the pollinators, and you help everything else.

Simple ways to attract more pollinators

🌸 Plant a variety of flowers

Choose plants that flower at different times of year, so there’s always something in bloom from early spring to late autumn.

🐝 Go for open, nectar-rich flowers

Double or highly bred varieties often look fancy but have little nectar or pollen. Native wildflowers and single-flowered types are best.

💧 Provide water

A shallow dish with pebbles or a bird bath with a gentle slope gives insects a safe place to drink.

🏡 Add habitat

Leave a patch of long grass, build a bee hotel, or keep a pile of logs. These provide places to nest, shelter, or overwinter.

🚫 Avoid pesticides

Even ‘bee-friendly’ sprays can harm pollinators. If you garden naturally, the whole system stays healthier.

Top pollinator-friendly plants (UK garden favourites)

Spring:

Primroses

Lungwort (Pulmonaria)

Hellebores

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)

Summer:

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

Wild marjoram (Origanum vulgare)

Field scabious (Knautia arvensis)

Lavender

Autumn:

Ivy (Hedera helix) flowers late, crucial for bees

Michaelmas daisy (Aster amellus)

Devil’s-bit scabious

Sedum (Hylotelephium)

Bonus tip: mix it up

Pollinators love diversity. A patch with different heights, colours, and flower shapes will attract a wider range of species. Even herbs like thyme, chives, and fennel pull in loads of visitors when left to flower.

Wild corners are wonderful

Don’t worry if your garden isn’t perfectly tidy that’s often where the best habitats hide. A little mess is a gift to wildlife.

Even a few changes can have a big impact. Whether you’ve got a windowsill or a whole allotment, you can help create a richer, more buzzing world one flower at a time.