Gardening in harmony with nature has never been more important. And it's about more than just forgoing pesticides and sacrificing some lettuce leaves for hungry caterpillars to nibble on.
What's arguably more essential is planting with purpose – choosing berry-rich shrubs for birds and nectar-rich blooms that support bees and butterflies.
Across the UK, native species – from hedgehogs to song thrushes to dung beetles – are in rapid decline, driven by habitat loss from urban expansion, deforestation and agriculture. Even more alarming, half of all butterfly species in our country are threatened or endangered.
But there is reason for optimism. By reimagining our gardens as part of the wider natural landscape, we can begin to return vital pockets of habitat to wildlife.
'Together, our gardens are a vast living landscape,' The Wildlife Trusts note. 'With an estimated 24 million gardens in the UK, the way they are cared for can make a big difference to the natural world.'
With that in mind, we've gathered some of the best pollinator-friendly flowers to plant this May – varieties that will reward you with the gentle hum of winged visitors.
The best flowers to support bees and butterflies
"Small changes can really help to create a thriving natural environment," says Elise Harlock, floral expert at Prestige Flowers. "By adding the right flowers to your garden, you can support biodiversity and make it look extra beautiful."
1. Lavender
Elise's first recommendation is lavender. "Single-layered, long petal flowers are easiest for insects to feed and pollinate from," she explains. "Lavender is a favourite of bees, butterflies and hoverflies – you'll see the flowers full of creatures all summer long."
The fragrant shrub thrives in sunny gardens with well-draining soil, and, thanks to its drought tolerance, it's wonderfully low-maintenance once established.
2. Foxgloves
If you have a dark, north-facing garden that doesn't receive much sunlight, foxgloves can help. "Foxgloves thrive in shade, so you can grow them in almost any garden type," says Elise. "Their colourful flowers and height are great for adding depth to a garden, but also act as safe, tubular and nectar-rich environments for insects."
Plus, is there anything more adorable than a bumblebee's plush behind peeking out of a bell-shaped foxglove floret? We have our doubts.
3. Coneflowers
With their big, bulging centre, coneflowers, also known as echinacea, are another great choice, especially if you're looking to attract bees.
"These daisy-like flowers are excellent for butterflies and bees," says Elise. "The open and flat structure of the flower head makes them perfect pollen-heavy landing spots, whilst adding loads of bright colour to your flower beds."
Once they've finished flowering, echinacea seedheads become great food for birds, so by planting this bloom, you really do kill, or should we say feed, two birds with one stone.
4. Sunflowers
These sunshine blooms don't just brighten up your plot but also provide a vital food source for pollinators.
"Everyone knows sunflowers are great for bees, but few know why,” Elise says. "Their centres are bursting with nectar, which makes them a rich source for pollinators, so planting even one or two in your garden is guaranteed to attract plenty of bees."
As their name suggests, sunflowers require a lot of sunlight, so it's important to pick a sunny spot in the garden. They also require frequent watering, so be mindful of the upkeep.
5. Peonies
Finally, don't miss out on growing peonies – a flower prized as much for its opulent beauty as its appeal to pollinators. They draw in bees and butterflies in abundance, which "love the sweet scent of peonies, and they're a really beautiful addition to any summer garden," Elise adds.
As these blooms prove, gardening for wildlife needn't come at the expense of style. In fact, chances are these pollinator-friendly flowers were on your wish list already.
Gardening must-haves
Filberts of Dorset Gardeners Hand Salve
Haywards Garden Bee and Butterfly Water Stations, Garden Décor, set of three colourful bee water cups .
Home Sussex Handmade Peg Apron
Painted Garden Label/Marker
The Fae Potter Wild Bird Feeder ceramic hanging
WhinnyPoo WhinnyPoo Box of 3 Plant Feed
Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
