Plants for Pollinators
We are committed to supporting the Royal Horticultural Society and other organisations in encouraging individuals to take steps to attract pollinators and other wildlife into their gardens.
The RHS has compiled two downloadable plant lists to help gardeners identify plants that will provide nectar and pollen for bees and many other types of pollinating insects. Please find links to these below.
You will see that we have added the RHS Plants for Pollinators symbol to our plant descriptions where applicable to assist you in your choices.
How to attract and support pollinating insects
The RHS offer the following advice:
- Aim to have plants that are attractive to pollinating insects in flower from early spring to late autumn.
- Seek plants that have the RHS symbol pictured above.
- Grow garden plants with flowers that attract pollinating insects.
- Avoid plants with double or multi-petaled 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 wild flowers 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 the RHS know.
- Encourage bees by keeping honeybees yourself or allowing a beekeeper to place hives in your garden.
- Nest boxes containing cardboard tubes or hollow plant stems, or holes drilled in blocks of wood will provide nest sites for some species of solitary bees. Such nests are available from garden centres or you can make your own (holes/tubes should be in a mixture of sizes with a diameter of 2-8mm).
Download the RHS Plants for Pollinators leaflet here.