There is a reassuring sense of satisfaction when you see insects fluttering and buzzing around in the garden and it’s down to the power of attraction of the flowering plants. Colour and scent are key to increasing the buzz level.
Here are some obvious pollinator plant choices that are easy to grow and commonly available at your local garden centre or online supplier:
Lavender and/or Rosemary
These have to be some of the best known plants ever, purple flowers and green-grey stems. Long flowering but you need to deadhead once that stops. Comes in various sizes and heights. Prune back in winter.
Roses
Roses are all about scent, colour and shape. Generally reliable, repeat performers that range from small shrub versions to prolific climbers. An infinite choice of colors and flower types from papery petals to title packed rosettes. David Austin Roses is a must.
Verbena bonariensis and/or Salvia
Small purple flower heads wave about on thin green stalks. This verbena works with any garden style and self seeds, so in time you get free plants. Salvia gives bursts of upright purple flowers in various heights.
Echinops and/or Eryngium
These are similar plants with purple, round flower heads and thistley grey-green stems.
Nepeta
Similar to lavender to look at but softer and with a tendency to spread. They have a distinct smell which you either love or hate and they also attract cats – hence the common name ‘catmint’.
Alliums and/or Foxgloves
A clever choice of varieties can see alliums spread through until autumn. They give vertical structure providing purple-red flowers (although some have a tendency to flop) and work in almost any type of garden. They are part of the onion family which you can tell by smell. Foxgloves: short-lived flowering.