This page lists many of the plants that are particularly good for bees, butterflies, moths, hoverflies, and other pollinating insects. Many of these plants feature in articles I have written for pumpkinbeth.com. Click on each plant page for more information about the plant, where you’ll also find links to every article where that particular plant is mentioned.
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 | Achillea millefolium is a herbaceous perennial that produces lovely ferny, scented foliage and large flat flower heads; each flower is made up of numerous individual florets. This is a wildflower of the UK, as well as many countries in Europe and Asia. Plants have spread… |
| Aesculus pavia is a large, naturally rounded, curvaceous shrub that eventually grows to anywhere between 3.5m (12ft) to 5.2m (17ft) tall, and around 2.5m (8ft) to 4m (13ft) wide – depending of course on your soil and your plant’s growing conditions. In this shrub’s native… |
| Agastache ‘Blackadder’ is a short lived, herbaceous perennial plant that produces aromatic leaves, which are beautifully complemented by spires of handsome blue coloured, edible flowers, during the summer months. This is a super plant to grow for bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. Agastache ‘Blackadder’ flowers provide… |
| Agastache rugosa ‘Golden Jubilee’ is a hardy herbaceous perennial plant that produces lime green leaves, which are perfectly complimented by spikes of purple flowers. This is an aromatic plant, with scented leaves and fragrant flowers. The mauve coloured flowers that this Agastache produces during the… |
| Allium is a large genus of flowering plants, it features hundreds of Allium species and many hybrids. Onions, chives, garlic, and leeks are all part of the Allium family, as are many other plants, which are grown for their decorative flowers and seed heads. Most… |
| Anemone ‘Wild Swan’ = ‘Macane001’ (PBR) was the winner of the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year 2011 Competition. This hybrid Anemone was raised in Scotland, by plant specialist Elizabeth MacGregor. Anemone ‘Wild Swan’ is a cross between earlier and later flowering… |
| Anemone x hybrida ‘Pretty Lady Emily’ (Pretty Lady Series) is a hybrid Japanese anemone cultivar, from the Pretty Lady Series. This is a hardy, herbaceous perennial plant, with a naturally compact form that was bred by Mr Yoshihiro Kanazawa, in Japan. Anemone x hybrida ‘Pretty… |
| Anemone × hybrida ‘Montrose’ is a late summer and early autumn flowering herbaceous perennial, with attractive semi double, shell pink coloured flowers that almost seem to radiate the glory of the golden September and October sunshine. Anemone × hybrida ‘Montrose’ produces open centred blooms, that… |
| Angelica archangelica is a simply divine garden plant! I love the zingy green colour tone of this biennial’s flowers and seeds, their fresh colouring and the plant’s tall, architectural, and statuesque appearance is of great value in the garden. Angelica archangelica favours moist, well drained… |
| Anthemis punctata subsp. cupaniana is an evergreen, mat forming, perennial plant, with finely cut silvery green leaves. In May, June, and July, Anthemis punctata subsp. cupaniana produces pretty daisy flowers that grow to around 30cm (2ft) tall. Anthemis punctata subsp. cupaniana is a really useful drought… |
| You can’t miss Anthemis tinctoria when it’s in flower, as these glowing, sunny yellow daisies really stand out across the garden. Anthemis tinctoria is commonly known as Dyer’s Chamomile, as the flowers and stems of this plant can be used to dye fabrics and other… |
| Anthriscus sylvestris is a biennial or short lived herbaceous perennial plant, which is more commonly known as cow parsley – in the UK, at least anyway – where Anthriscus sylvestris grows as a wildflower, along roadsides, hedgerows, in grasslands and meadows. Flowering in late spring,… |
| Aquilegia ‘Hensol Harebell’ is an elegant herbaceous perennial that produces charming, pendant blue-purple flowers, that are held on slim, but sturdy stems. This Aquilegia flowers during May and June (late spring and early summer), in the UK. Aquilegia ‘Hensol Harebell’ flowers are a magnet for… |
| Arctium lappa can be found growing wild across Europe, Scandinavia, and the Mediterranean, as well as other locations around the world. In the UK, Arctium lappa is more commonly known as Greater Burdock, but I’m sure that this plant has a range of common names,… |
| Astrantia major ‘Ruby Wedding’ is a hardy perennial plant that blooms in the summertime, producing stunning ruby coloured, round, pincushion type flowers, so typical of Astrantia. The flowers are popular with bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and other pollinating insects. Prompt deadheading of the spent Astrantia blooms… |
| Aubergines (also known as Eggplant or by the plant’s botanical name, Solanum melogena) are tender plants that need warmth and bright sunshine if they’re to thrive. Sow aubergine seeds in pots of peat-free compost, inside a heated propagator or glasshouse, from January to April. Ensure… |
| Betula pendula FASTIGIATA JOES (‘Jolep 1’) is a tall – 16.5ft (5m) or more, yet very narrow tree, which produces upright growth, which will grow no wider than 3ft (1m) across, making this tree a super choice for a small garden. All too often, I see… |
| Broad beans (also known by their botanical name of Vicia faba) are wonderfully easy to grow beans that tastes delicious. If you haven’t grown them before, you might think of yourself as someone who doesn’t like broad beans, but stay with me – it’s still… |
| Crimson flowered broad beans are great fun! These rather glamorous plants are the crimson flowered form of broad beans. Plants produce large cerise coloured flowers, which are followed by green broad bean pods, filled with green broad beans. Broad bean ‘Crimson Flowered’ (also known by… |
| Broad Bean ‘Robin Hood’ is a dwarf broad bean. If you’re looking for vegetables to grow in containers, Broad bean ‘Robin Hood’ is an ideal choice. Broad Bean ‘Robin Hood’ is a green seeded broad bean, which grows to just 30-40cm (12-16 inches) tall. In… |
| Broccoli is a lovely vegetable to grow. Advances in seed breeding have created a more versatile range of broccoli cultivars that can produce a harvest in autumn, or late winter, early spring, or summer, depending on the broccoli cultivar you choose to grow and the… |
| Buddleja ‘Ellen’s Blue’ is a small sized, hardy shrub that produces violet coloured flowers, during the summer months. This Buddleja cultivar was a chance seedling that was discovered growing near other Buddleja cultivars, in Ellen Hornig’s garden, in New York, America. Hence Buddleja ‘Ellen’s Blue’… |
| Buddleja ‘Pink Delight’ is a fully hardy, medium sized shrub with a naturally bushy habit. This Buddleja cultivar produces panicles of pink, scented flowers, over a long period, during the summer time. To extend your plant’s flowering, be prompt in actively dead-heading your Buddleja plant’s… |
| If you love butterflies, bees, hoverflies, and other pollinating insects, then you’ll love growing Buddleja davidii, as this shrub is a magnet to these wonderful creatures! If you’ve not grown Buddleja before, this vigorous shrub is perhaps easier to care for and taller growing than you… |
| Buddleja davidii ‘Black Knight’ is a distinctive form of Buddleja; its long panicles of indigo coloured flowers are deeper in colour than almost all other Buddlejas. That’s not the only quality that this plant boasts, Buddleja davidii ‘Black Knight’ produces very large flowers; plants enjoy… |
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