Planting for Bees and Butterflies - How to Attract Pollinators
Planting for Bees and Butterflies: How to Create a Pollinator-Friendly Garden
There’s something incredibly calming about watching busy bees and butterflies moving from flower to flower, with the soft hum of summer all around you.
Whether it’s a buzzing balcony, a wildflower bed, or pots by the kitchen door, planting for pollinators is an easy way to attract bees and butterflies, helping you reconnect with nature in a busy world.
World Bee Day is on 20th May, so now is the perfect time to grab supplies. If you’re sowing for the first time, this guide will help you create a beautiful garden that supports pollinators and your wellbeing.
Why do bees and butterflies matter?
Bees, butterflies and other pollinators play a vital role in our ecosystem. According to the FAO, over 75% of global crops depend on animal pollination. UK bees alone contribute over £500 million a year to agriculture.
Pollinators face threats from habitat loss, pesticides and climate change. The good news? You can help – even a tiny wildflower patch makes a difference.
What to plant for bees and butterflies
Different pollinators favour different flowers. Long-tongued bees prefer tubular flowers like foxgloves. Others like simple, open flowers like marigolds or daisies. Bees love blue, purple, and yellow hues; butterflies enjoy flat-topped flowers in pinks, reds, and purples.
Some ideal plants include:
- Cornflower, Calendula, Poppy, Safflower
- Forget-Me-Not, Cosmos, Morning Glory
- Chrysanthemum, Yarrow, Candytuft, Scented Stocks
- Basil, Dill, Coriander, Lovage, Borage, Buckwheat
See our Pollinator Mixed Seed Packs for an easy way to get started.
Wildflower Spotlight: White Clover Seed
White Clover is a sustainable, low-maintenance ground cover that’s ideal for pollinators. It enriches the soil, attracts bees, and replaces fertiliser-heavy lawns.
How and when to sow wildflower seed
Sow in early spring (March–May) or autumn (August–October). Steps:
- Wait for frost to pass
- Pick a sunny spot
- Clear competing plants
- Rake soil lightly
- Scatter seeds evenly
- Press them in lightly
- Water if dry
Tip: Avoid fertiliser – wildflowers love poor soil.
Try our Shake Box or Pure Seed Mix.
Where to plant & how to support pollinators
- Mini wildflower meadows
- Patio pots & balconies
- Mix herbs into existing beds
- Let parts of your garden grow wild
- Choose perennial plants for returning blooms
Avoid chemical weedkillers and pesticides – they harm pollinators. Aim for bloom succession from spring to autumn.
See our Pronto Seed kits for curated solutions.
Simple Wildflower Projects for Kids
- Seed Shakers: Mix and scatter wildflower seeds – messy fun!
- Butterfly Café: Use fruit slices on stones to attract butterflies.
- Bee Water Station: Pebbles in a dish of water help thirsty bees.
Seed Bombs
What you'll need:
- 1 part wildflower seeds
- 3 parts compost
- 5 parts flour or clay
- A little water
Instructions:
- Mix ingredients
- Add water slowly
- Roll into small balls
- Let dry for 24–48 hours
- Throw onto bare soil
Other ways you can help
- FIT Counts: Join the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme.
- Bees’ Needs Week: UK Government initiative.
- Use a Nature App: Log sightings with iRecord.
A small patch, a big impact
Even a few planters can support pollinators. Explore our full meadow and cottage garden seed ranges.
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