A pollinator-friendly garden is one of the most rewarding and joyful spaces a gardener can create. Whether you’ve got a sunny plot, a shaded border, or a simple window box, you can make a real difference by supporting bees and other pollinators. These essential insects keep our ecosystems in balance and our food crops thriving.

In this article, we’ll walk through practical steps for creating a pollinator-friendly garden, from choosing the best plants for bees to building habitats that support pollinators year-round. If you’re ready to attract bees, butterflies, and hoverflies to your outdoor space—and help safeguard pollinator populations—this guide is for you.

A pollinator-friendly garden is more than just pretty flowers. It’s a rich, diverse environment that meets the needs of many pollinators throughout the seasons. That means offering flowering plants from early spring to late autumn, keeping pesticide use to a minimum, and providing clean water and safe shelter.

Pollinator-friendly gardens are often filled with native plants and wildflowers, which provide nectar and pollen in forms that local pollinators recognise and need. Think of your garden as a habitat, not just a display. The more natural and varied it is, the more pollinators it will support.

Plants that attract bees are usually rich in nectar and easy to access. Single-flowered varieties are better than double ones, as their pollen and nectar are exposed. Native wildflowers like dandelion, knapweed, and oxeye daisy are fantastic options and very easy to grow.

Perennials such as lavender, thyme, echinacea, and foxgloves are firm favourites among pollinators like bees. Spring bloomers like crocus and pulmonaria provide early food, while sedum and michaelmas daisies feed bees into late autumn.

To attract a variety of pollinators, grow a mix of shapes and colours. This way, you’ll support not just honeybees and bumblebees but also solitary bees, butterflies, and moths.

To create a bee-friendly garden, plant flowers that bloom from early spring to late autumn. Bees and other pollinators need food throughout their active months, not just in summer. Choose a mix of perennials, herbs, and native plants.

Reduce or eliminate pesticide use, especially insecticides, which can be harmful to pollinators. Instead, encourage beneficial insects like ladybirds to handle pests naturally. If you must use a treatment, apply it in the evening when pollinators are less active.

Finally, leave some wild areas. Even a small pile of twigs or an untidy corner can provide a vital habitat for bees and other insects.

The best plants for a pollinator-friendly garden are those that produce high-quality nectar and pollen. Here are a few favourites that support pollinators throughout the year:

• Spring: Crocus, hellebore, Pulmonaria (lungwort), dandelion
• Summer: Lavender, thyme, catmint, foxglove, geranium
• Autumn: Sedum, asters, ivy

Choose plants that thrive in your conditions. Many of these options are drought-tolerant and thrive in partial shade, making them easy to grow in a variety of settings.

Growing a wide range of pollinator-friendly plants ensures food is available for different pollinators throughout the year.

When choosing plants, consider three key things: bloom time, flower shape, and suitability for your soil and sun levels. Aim for overlapping flowering periods to provide a continuous food source for pollinators from early spring through late autumn.

Choose simple, open flowers with accessible nectar and pollen. Avoid highly bred or exotic plants that offer little benefit to native insects. Including native plants supports the pollinator partnership between local flowers and local pollinators.

Your soil type and light levels also matter. Some plants prefer full sun, while others thrive in partial shade. Look for varieties that suit your space, and you’ll create a healthy and sustainable garden.

Pollinators need water just as much as nectar. A shallow dish filled with pebbles and topped up regularly can provide a safe water source for bees and butterflies. Place it in a sheltered, sunny spot so it stays clean and accessible.

If you have a larger space, a small pond or birdbath can add visual interest and support a broader range of insects and birds. Even a well-positioned water bowl in a window box or patio garden can make a big difference.

Providing water helps pollinators stay hydrated and supports their energy needs while they work around the garden.

Beyond bee hotels, ground-nesting bees need bare soil and undisturbed spaces. Avoid mulching every inch of your garden and leave a few sunny patches of soil exposed. These areas give bees the space they need to tunnel and nest.

Dead wood, compost heaps, and piles of leaves also support pollinators like hoverflies and moths. These habitats are easy to incorporate into the edges of your garden and support a wide range of insect life.

Think of nesting as essential as planting flowers. When you provide nesting sites, you help pollinators stay close to their food source, building a healthier and more resilient garden.

Even if you don’t have a large garden, you can still help bees and other pollinators. Window boxes, balcony planters, and pots filled with herbs or flowering plants are valuable food sources.

Choose easy-to-grow varieties like thyme, lavender, calendula, and chives. These are not only great for pollinators but also useful in the kitchen. Keep your containers watered and deadhead the flowers to encourage continuous blooming.

Every flowering plant counts. Whether your garden is a vast border or a small windowsill, you can play a part in boosting pollinator numbers and biodiversity.

One of my favourite corners of the garden is the little wild patch I leave untouched—just a tangle of grasses, native wildflowers and the odd fallen twig. It hums with life in summer, and I like to think of it as a tiny sanctuary for the creatures that keep the rest of my garden thriving. I always choose plants with pollinators in mind, making sure there’s something in bloom from March through to late October. Organic methods are a must for me—I’d much rather deal with a few nibbled leaves than risk harming the bees or butterflies I’m trying to support. If you’re thinking about creating a pollinator-friendly space, start small. Even a single pot of lavender can make a difference. Over time, you’ll notice the buzz building—and that’s when the real magic of gardening begins.

Q: What is a pollinator-friendly garden?

A: A pollinator-friendly garden is designed to attract and support pollinators like bees, butterflies, hoverflies and moths. It typically includes a variety of nectar- and pollen-rich plants that bloom from early spring to late autumn. These gardens avoid the use of pesticides, which can be harmful to pollinators, and often include features like a bee hotel or bare patches of soil for ground-nesting insects. Whether your garden is large or a simple window box, creating a pollinator-friendly space can significantly boost biodiversity and help pollinators thrive.

Q: How can I attract bees and other pollinators to my garden?

A: To attract bees and other pollinating insects, plant a diverse range of flowering plants that bloom across the seasons. Native wildflowers, herbs such as thyme, and traditional garden plants like lavender and foxglove are excellent choices. Provide a water source, avoid the use of pesticides, and leave areas of the garden undisturbed to encourage nesting. Creating a bee-friendly garden with shelter, a continuous food source, and plenty of plants is one of the most effective ways to help pollinators and support their populations.

Q: What are the best plants for bees and pollinators?

A: The best plants for bees and other pollinators offer high-quality nectar and pollen throughout the flowering season. Opt for native plants and well-known pollinator favourites such as borage, echinacea, marjoram, foxglove, and scabious. Wildflower mixes containing native species are ideal for creating a vibrant, pollinator-friendly garden. Choosing plants that bloom in succession from early spring to late autumn ensures a continuous food source for a range of pollinators, including solitary bees, hoverflies and butterflies.

Q: How do I create a pollinator-friendly garden in a small space?

A: Even small gardens, patios, and balconies can become havens for pollinators. Use containers or window boxes to plant flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Include a mix of flowering plants with different bloom times to support pollinators throughout the year. A bee hotel, a shallow water dish with pebbles, and allowing some wildflower seeds to self-seed can all help attract pollinators. Avoid pesticide use and try to provide nesting sites for ground-nesting bees or shelter for overwintering insects.

Q: Are wildflowers important in a pollinator garden?

A: Yes, wildflowers are a key part of any pollinator-friendly garden. They offer an abundant and varied supply of nectar and pollen and are especially attractive to native pollinators like bumblebees and solitary bees. Native wildflowers have evolved alongside local pollinators, making them an ideal food source. Sowing wildflower seeds or allowing wildflowers such as dandelions to bloom naturally in your lawn supports pollinator populations and adds natural beauty to your garden throughout the flowering season.

Q: Should I feed plants in a pollinator-friendly garden?

A: Yes, feeding plants appropriately can improve their health and flowering, which in turn benefits pollinators. Use organic or wildlife-safe plant feeds to encourage stronger blooms and extend the flowering period. Avoid synthetic fertilisers that may lead to excessive leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Feeding is beneficial for container plants or in poor soils where nutrients are limited. Always follow feed guidelines and choose products that are not harmful to pollinators.

Q: How can I provide nesting sites for bees?

A: Providing nesting sites is essential when creating a bee-friendly garden. For solitary bees, consider installing a bee hotel in a sunny, sheltered spot. Leave bare patches of soil for ground-nesting species, and maintain dry-stacked walls or log piles as natural habitat for bees and other insects. Avoid heavy mulching or frequent digging in nesting areas. Supporting pollinators isn’t only about food—safe places to nest and shelter are just as important.

Q: Are bee hotels effective?

A: Bee hotels can be highly effective for solitary bees such as red mason bees and leafcutter bees. When well-constructed and properly maintained, these structures provide a safe environment for bees to lay their eggs. Place them in a sunny, sheltered position facing south or southeast, at least one metre above the ground. Keep them dry and clean out old nesting material annually. Bee hotels are a valuable addition to any pollinator-friendly garden and can also provide an educational focus for gardeners of all ages.

Q: Can I create a pollinator-friendly garden without using pesticides?

A: Absolutely. Avoiding the use of pesticides is one of the most critical steps in helping pollinators. Many chemicals are harmful to bees and other beneficial insects, even when used according to instructions. Instead, encourage natural predators like ladybirds and hoverflies, and use non-chemical methods of pest control. By promoting a natural balance in your garden, you help pollinators while reducing reliance on artificial inputs.

Q: Where can I buy plants and products for a pollinator-friendly garden?

A: Plants and products suitable for creating a pollinator-friendly garden are widely available at most UK garden centres and from reputable online retailers. Look for pollinator-friendly labelling, such as the Royal Horticultural Society’s “Plants for Pollinators” symbol. You can also purchase wildflower seeds, bee hotels, and wildlife-friendly feeds from trusted garden suppliers. Always choose plants that suit your growing conditions and aim for varieties known to attract a variety of pollinators.