A garden alive with pollinators is a healthier, happier one. Here's how to draw them in and keep them coming back.
Created by jflgardens.co.uk
Bees and butterflies aren't just a delight to watch — they pollinate the flowers and crops we all rely on. A few simple changes to your planting and habits turn a garden into a haven for them.
Choose plants with open, accessible flowers that plenty of nectar and pollen — things like lavender, buddleia, catmint, verbena and hardy geraniums. A mix of shapes and shades draws in different pollinators.
Pollinators need food from early spring to late autumn, not just mid-summer. Include early bulbs and spring blossom, summer perennials, and late-flowering favourites so there's always something in bloom.
Widespread, persistent insecticide use is the fastest way to empty your garden of bees and butterflies. Reserve any treatment for real problems, apply it late in the day when pollinators aren't active, and let beneficial insects do the work.
A shallow dish of water with pebbles for them to land on, some sunny, open ground, and a log pile or area of long grass for shelter all make a surprisingly big difference to how long pollinators linger.
From planting & borders to a full wildlife-style overhaul, the JFL Gardens team works across Surrey and London.
