In addition to enjoying our gardens for socialising and leisure time it is also enjoyable to watch the garden become a hive of activity for wildlife. That’s right, this is a blog about the birds and the bees.
Pollinators include bees, insects, birds and bats and they are responsible, as the name suggests, for pollinating plants by moving pollen from flower to flower thus fertilizing them so they reproduce.
Pollinators are incredibly important and there are certain plants that encourage pollinators to visit your garden where you can observe them, and they can work their magic.
Here are ten easy-to-grow pollinator plants that you can use to encourage bees, butterflies and birds to your garden.
- Honeysuckle. This has a trumpet-like flower and a sweet attractive fragrance.
- Sanguinaria. A flowering, herbaceous perennial.
- Calendula. Commonly known as marigolds. They are annual or biennial with daisy-like flowers and scented leaves.
- Sunflowers. An annual plant with a large brightly coloured daisy-like flower.
- Thyme. When blossoming this herb will attract bees with its flowers.
- Verbena. A perennial with long, narrow stems.
- Nasturtium. An attractive trailing plant with brightly colour flowers.
- Lavender. A hardy perennial which is easy to grow. Commonly-known for its striking purple flowers and recognisable scent.
- Agastache. A scented flowering herbaceous perennial. Boast spires of attractive flowers.
- Zinnia. Easy to grow, colourful, annual plants.
Of course, this list is not exhaustive and there are hundreds of plants that will attract and fuel pollinators to your garden. Think colour and scent when choosing plants in the hope to attract butterflies, bees, birds and other insects.
There are other things to consider when creating a paradise for birds, bees and other pollinators. Create areas of shelter by resisting the urge cut down trees or remove large bushes. Also create a place for birds to feed which you keep well topped up with fat balls or seeds. Bringing a bird bath into your garden will attract more feathered visitors.
By creating a pollinator-friendly garden, not only are you creating a beautifully colourful and scented garden to look at, but it will serve a deeper purpose by combating the decline in pollinators that has been seen in recent years.