A garden buzzing with bees and fluttering with butterflies isn't just a joy to watch — it's a sign that things are working as they should. Pollinators are the engine room of a healthy garden, and the good news is that attracting them doesn't take much. A few smart plant choices and some small habitat tweaks can transform even a modest plot into a pollinator haven.
Here's how to do it.
Why Pollinators Matter (and Why They Need Our Help)
Bee and butterfly populations have declined significantly across the UK over the past few decades, largely due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and the disappearance of wildflower meadows. Your garden — however big or small — can genuinely make a difference.
And the benefits go both ways. More pollinators means better fruit set on your veg, more flowers on your ornamentals, and a garden that feels alive.
The Best Plants for Bees and Butterflies
The single most impactful thing you can do is grow the right plants. Pollinators are drawn to flowers with accessible nectar and pollen — and they have their favourites.
For bees:
- Lavender — a classic for good reason; bees can't resist it
- Borage — easy to grow from seed and flowers all summer
- Foxglove — brilliant for bumblebees in particular
- Alliums — long-lasting and loved by a wide range of bee species
- Phacelia — one of the best bee plants you can grow, often used as a green manure too
For butterflies:
- Buddleia — the original butterfly bush, though deadhead regularly to keep it flowering
- Verbena bonariensis — tall, airy, and absolutely covered in butterflies from July onwards
- Echinacea — long-flowering and great for late-season butterflies
- Nasturtiums — easy, cheerful, and attractive to several butterfly species
- Wildflowers — a patch of native wildflowers is one of the best things you can do
If you want a ready-made solution, our Nature's Haven Easy Wildflowers For Birds 1.2kg mix is a great starting point — scatter it on a prepared patch and let nature do the rest.
Think About Flowering Succession
One of the most common mistakes is planting lots of things that all flower at once. Pollinators need food from early spring right through to autumn, so aim for a mix that covers the whole season:
- Spring: Crocus, pulmonaria, flowering currant
- Early summer: Alliums, foxgloves, geraniums
- Midsummer: Lavender, borage, verbena, echinacea
- Late summer/autumn: Sedums, asters, ivy (yes, ivy — it's one of the last nectar sources of the year)
Not sure what to sow and when? Our month-by-month sowing guide has you covered for the whole growing season.
Go Easy on the Tidying
This one's hard for keen gardeners to hear, but a perfectly manicured garden isn't great for wildlife. A few simple changes make a big difference:
- Leave some areas of longer grass — many butterflies lay eggs on grass species
- Don't cut back hollow stems until spring — they make perfect overwintering spots for solitary bees
- Leave seedheads standing through winter — they provide food for birds and shelter for insects
- Avoid blowing or raking every leaf — leaf litter is habitat
Avoid Pesticides Where You Can
Pesticides — even those labelled as "safe" — can harm pollinators if used carelessly. Where possible, try to manage pests through companion planting, physical barriers, or encouraging natural predators rather than reaching for a spray.
If you do need to treat something, apply in the evening when bees are less active, and never spray open flowers.
Add Some Habitat
Plants are the priority, but a few habitat additions help too:
- A bug hotel — provides nesting spots for solitary bees and other beneficial insects
- A shallow water dish — bees need to drink, especially in hot weather; add a few pebbles so they can land safely
- A small wildflower patch — even a square metre makes a difference. Make sure you're using the right growing medium — our compost guide can help you choose.
What You'll Need
- Wildflower seed mix — our Nature's Haven Easy Wildflowers For Birds 1.2kg is a great starting point
- Mr Fothergill's Sunflower Sunburst Mix Seeds — sunflowers are brilliant for bees and look stunning
- Nature's Haven Green Manure Mix 1.2kg — includes phacelia, one of the best bee plants going
- A shallow dish and some pebbles for a bee drinking station
Final Thought
You don't need a large garden or a big budget to make a difference. Even a window box of lavender and a pot of borage will bring in the bees. Start small, plant with pollinators in mind, and you'll notice the difference within a season.
Ready to get started? Browse our full range at Grasmere Garden Centre — we stock everything you need to make your garden a haven for wildlife this summer. Or pop in and have a chat with the team; we're always happy to help you find the right plants for your plot.