Over the last number of years there has been a significant decline in the number of pollinators that visit our garden. This has happened for a number of reasons but one in particular is the reduction in wildflowers. Our gardens should be recognised as important habitats for common butterflies, moths, hoverflies and bees, where they can find sources of pollen and nectar.
Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred from one flower to another, allowing flowers to become fertilised and able to produce seeds and fruits. In some plants pollen and seeds are spread by the wind but the majority of plants require insects to transport the pollen.
Even our home-grown fruits rely on insects for pollination such as apples, plums, gooseberries, strawberries and cherries. Flowers provide insects with two rich sources of food – nectar and pollen. Nectar contains sugar and provides insects with energy while pollen grains contain protein and oils.
How you can attract pollinating insects to your garden
Furnish you garden with flowers and plants that attract pollinating bees from early spring to late autumn.
When buying plants and flowers at your local garden centre, ask the advice from one of their horticulturalists.
Don’t use pesticides on plants when they are in flower.
Open flowers are much better especially for bumblebees as they have shorter tongues.
Make sure that the plants you select bloom at different times over the season so that bees have something to forage on throughout the season, which for some bees may extend from April until October.
Native plants are usually best for native bees, and can be used in both wild areas and gardens. There are also many garden plants—particularly older, heirloom varieties of perennials and herbs—that are good sources of nectar or pollen. Together with native plants, these will make a garden attractive to both pollinators and people.
Chose several colors of flowers. Bees have good color vision to help them find flowers and the nectar and pollen they offer. Flower colors that particularly attract bees are blue, purple, violet, white, and yellow.
Plant flowers in clumps. Flowers clustered into clumps of one species will attract more pollinators than individual plants scattered through the habitat patch. Where space allows, make the clumps four feet or more in diameter.
Flowers & Plants for Bees & Butterflies
Azalea
Bee Balm
Lilac
Marigolds
Heather
Verbena
Aster
Echinacea
Sunflowers
Roses
Hyacinth
Honeysuckle
Hawthorns
Magnolia
And remember, the more bees you attract, the more your gardens will grow, since so many vegetables and flowers require pollination.
Enjoy your Summer Garden!
Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred from one flower to another, allowing flowers to become fertilised and able to produce seeds and fruits. In some plants pollen and seeds are spread by the wind but the majority of plants require insects to transport the pollen.
Even our home-grown fruits rely on insects for pollination such as apples, plums, gooseberries, strawberries and cherries. Flowers provide insects with two rich sources of food – nectar and pollen. Nectar contains sugar and provides insects with energy while pollen grains contain protein and oils.
How you can attract pollinating insects to your garden
Flowers & Plants for Bees & Butterflies
And remember, the more bees you attract, the more your gardens will grow, since so many vegetables and flowers require pollination.
Enjoy your Summer Garden! 
