Plant a pollinator friendly garden

Effort:

Impact:

Cost:

Savings:

Photo of tree with bluebells growing underneath

Turn available space into an oasis for bees and butterflies or use pollinator-friendly species in your planters.

Impact: With so many green spaces disappearing, our pollinator friends could use some help finding food. They return the favour by sticking around and pollinating our flowers, our fruits, and our vegetables. Pollinators are also great at pest control. Many of them keep small bugs and pests in check, which helps plants thrive.

Effort: This action involves introducing some new plants to your garden, planters, or window box, and looking after them.

Costs and savings: There will be some initial costs in buying seeds or plants, but long term the improved insect population might help other plants in your garden to thrive.

Time each month: 1-2 hours depending on the season and amount of planting you choose to do.

Next steps

Blue, purple, or yellow flowers are best for pollinators: consider species such as daisies, sunflowers, teasel, roses, or mint. Native species are best for wildlife.
Select plants so you have a show of flowers from early spring to late autumn.
Consider night-scented flowers such as evening primrose or honeysuckle for moths.
Check out information from local ecologist, Judy Webb on how to help pollinators in your garden.