Planting for pollinators
Find out how to plant more flowers for the 270 different species of bees who live in the UK – as well as other pollinators like hoverflies, wasps, beetles, moths and butterflies.
The more flowers we can plant, the more food there is for bees – and they'll be healthier and more likely to survive illness or bad weather.
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Before you get started
Why this is important
In return for the nectar flowers provide, bees and other insects help them by spreading their pollen and helping them to reproduce. This is called pollination.
Pollinators don’t just help flowers to grow; most of the plants we grow for food need to be pollinated. In the UK, around 70 crops benefit from visits by bees—including broccoli, cabbages, and apples. Fewer bees could mean food shortages.
Sowing and growing flowers
Instructions
1. Choose your flowers
The more different types and colours of flowers you can grow, the greater the variety of pollinators you’ll attract.
- Colours: Bees see blues and purples best (lavender, buddleia, alliums).
- Shapes: Choose "open" flowers like sunflowers or ox-eye daisies where the centre is easily accessible.
- Herbs: Use rosemary, thyme, and chives for their strong scents.
2. Time your planting
Spring is the perfect time to sow seeds for summer blooms. However, bees can be active from February to November.
- Autumn: Plant bulbs for early spring flowers.
- Late Spring: Wildflowers start to bloom.
- Late Summer: Use salvias, verbena, and dahlias to keep food available into the autumn.
3. Create a "Mini Meadow"
Encourage wildflowers by leaving an area of grass unmown. Throw in some wildflower seeds and leave it as a wild wonderland for insects to find shelter and food.
4. Safety for pets
Be careful when selecting plants if you have furry friends. Some plants can be toxic if eaten by cats or dogs. Always check before you sow. The PDSA has some good advice on pet-friendly planting at https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/all-pets/poisonous-plants.
What you’ll need
Wildflower seeds (Poppies, cornflowers, etc.)
Bulbs (For early spring)
Garden tools (Trowel and gloves)
Watering can
A "wild" patch of unmown grass
did you know?
Bees can see blues and purples better than other colours. So they love landing on lavender, buddleia, alliums and catmint.
More ways to help animals this summer
Create an RSPCA account to save ideas to your own dashboard, upload photos of your efforts and get exclusive certificates to celebrate your contribution.
Pollinator-friendly plants in our RSPCA garden
Spring is the perfect time to sow seeds so by summertime, your garden is filled with flowers and buzzing with bugs. The more different types and colours of flowers you can grow, the greater the variety of pollinators you’ll attract.
