Pollinator Plants

Fill your garden with these pollinator-friendly plants, much loved by bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and other helpful insects. With pollinator populations in decline across the UK, this collection includes a wide mix of plants that are particularly valuable to pollinators - from long-flowering perennials like salvias and crocus, to thyme plants, cottage garden classics, and easy growers for pots and borders. All are well-suited to UK gardens.

Plant Highlights

  • A hand-picked selection of pollinator plants that grow well in UK gardens
  • Flowering plants are chosen because bees and insects actually use them
  • Suitable for sunny spots and lighter shade, whether in borders or pots
  • A mix of perennials, shrubs, bulbs, and bare-root plants that return year after year
  • A good choice for gardeners who want more butterflies and wild bees in their garden

About Our Pollinator Plant Collection

  • Lavender: A summer favourite that fills the garden with scent and is usually buzzing with bees on warm days.
  • Buddleia: Known for drawing in butterflies, this shrub flowers freely and becomes a busy feeding spot in summer.
  • Salvia: Reliable and long-flowering, salvias are easy to grow and keep attracting insects well into late summer.
  • Echinacea: With open, daisy-like flowers, echinacea is often visited by bees and other pollinating insects.
  • Crocus: One of the first flowers to open in the year, crocus bulbs give bees something to feed on early in spring.
  • Snowdrops: Flowering when little else is around, snowdrops are an important stop for bees on mild winter days.
Salvia Plants Lavender Plants Daisy Plants French Marigolds Plants Buddleia Plants & Bushes

Why Choose Pollinator Plants from Carbeth Plants

Planting for pollinators is not just about filling space with flowers. It is about choosing plants that genuinely help bees, butterflies, and other insects thrive in real gardens.

  • Plants chosen for how well they flower and how often insects return to them
  • Clear choices across bulbs, bare root plants, and potted sizes, so you know what you are planting
  • A mix of easy growers and more established plants to suit all levels of gardening experience
  • Plants that cope well with the UK weather rather than needing constant attention
  • Careful packing so plants arrive fresh, healthy, and ready to go straight into the soil

You can also explore our wider range of outdoor plants and perennials to keep your garden active and wildlife-friendly throughout the year.

Seasonal Interest for Bees and Butterflies

A good pollinator garden offers food across the year, not just when summer is at its peak.

  • Early spring bulbs, such as crocus and snowdrops, provide nectar when insects are first active
  • Summer flowering plants, including lavender, salvia, and echinacea, give steady nectar for weeks
  • Late summer and autumn flowers help sustain butterflies as the season starts to slow down
  • Shrubs and perennials add shelter as well as flowers, giving insects somewhere to rest

How to Choose and Grow Pollinator Plants

Growing pollinator plants does not need to be complicated. A few thoughtful choices can make a real difference.

  • Look for flowers with open shapes that insects can easily reach
  • Plant the same varieties together so bees and butterflies can find them quickly
  • Match plants to your garden conditions, whether that is full sun or partial shade
  • Leave some areas slightly untidy to give insects places to nest and shelter
  • Water well at planting time, then allow hardy plants to settle in naturally

Adding bulbs and perennials alongside shrubs helps create a more reliable food source for pollinating insects.

Our Quality Promise and UK Delivery

We take care to make sure every plant leaves us in good condition and ready for planting.

  • Each plant is checked before dispatch to ensure healthy growth
  • Secure packaging protects roots and stems during delivery
  • Fast UK delivery so plants spend less time in transit
  • Clear growing information to help you get the best results

By choosing plants from this collection, you are adding long-lasting colour to your garden while helping support a wide range of pollinating insects.

Frequently Asked Questions

A plant pollinator refers to insects such as bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and moths that move pollen between flowers. Plants like lavender, echinacea, and salvia are excellent examples because they attract these insects with nectar and pollen.
Buddleia, mahonia, and some hydrangea varieties are pollinator-friendly shrubs in the UK. They provide nectar, pollen, and shelter for bees and butterflies across different seasons.
Buddleia can grow quickly and may need regular pruning to stay tidy. Some gardeners also limit planting to prevent self-seeding, but, managed correctly, it remains one of the best plants for butterflies.
Lavender, crocus bulbs, salvia, and echinacea are easy to grow and highly attractive to bees and butterflies. They establish well and offer reliable flowering with minimal maintenance.
Many pollinator plants thrive in full sun, but some, such as snowdrops and foxgloves, tolerate partial shade. Mixing planting positions helps support a wider range of pollinators.
Plant a mix of early spring bulbs, summer flowering perennials, and late-season shrubs. This ensures a steady food source of nectar and pollen from winter through to autumn.
Yes, many pollinator plants grow well in containers, including lavender, salvia, and compact echinacea. Pots on patios and balconies can still provide valuable food for pollinating insects.