Top 5 Plants to Attract Pollinators in 2025

Many of our prettiest insects feed on nectar, so they need flowering plants for their survival.

Butterflies, moths, bees, and hoverflies all need sources of nectar and pollen to thrive. As they travel from flower to flower, they also pollinate them, enabling them to set seed or bear fruit. All of these beautiful flowers can be planted in your garden in a high-quality, peat-free soil such as our Caledonian Green Goodness to really nourish the soil and help these flowers thrive even more for the little visitors of your garden.

So, setting up a nectar pit stop in your garden benefits both your plants and you, allowing you to enjoy the buzzing and fluttering of beautiful butterflies & insects!

Lavender

Lavender is a timeless favourite for attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. Its highly aromatic flowers are rich in nectar, making it an excellent source of food for pollinators throughout its blooming season, typically from late spring to early summer. The plant’s calming fragrance is a bonus for gardeners and is widely used in aromatherapy, making lavender both a functional and beautiful addition to your outdoor space. 

Its vibrant purple hues bring visual appeal to gardens, while its drought tolerance makes it a sustainable choice for eco-conscious gardeners. Additionally, lavender has natural pest-repellent properties, helping to deter unwanted insects like mosquitoes.

Lavender is also versatile: it fits seamlessly into cottage gardens, Mediterranean-inspired landscapes, or modern minimalist designs. Plus, it can be harvested for dried flowers or oils, extending its usefulness beyond the garden.

Echinacea

Echinacea, also known as coneflower, is a garden favourite for anyone looking to support pollinators. With its gorgeous purple-pink petals and eye-catching cone-shaped centres, it’s not just a treat for the insects; it’s a showstopper in any garden. Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial bugs can’t get enough of its nectar, and since it blooms from midsummer to early autumn, it keeps the buffet open during the busiest pollinator season.

What makes Echinacea even better is how tough and easy going it is. Echinacea thrives in all sorts of conditions, shrugs off drought, and even resists deer, making it perfect whether you’re just starting out or have a seasoned green thumb. And if you’re into herbal remedies, you’ll love knowing that Echinacea has been used for centuries for its immune-boosting properties—a little bonus for you herbal enthusiasts!

Come autumn and winter, Echinacea seed heads stick around to feed birds like goldfinches, so you’re helping wildlife year-round. Echinacea isn’t just a plant; it’s an all-around garden hero that looks great while giving back to nature.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers are the ultimate multitaskers in any garden! Their tall, sunny blooms not only brighten up your space but also play an important role in supporting local wildlife. Packed with pollen and nectar, they’re a favourite for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. As the season progresses, the flower heads develop seeds that birds, such as goldfinches and chickadees, love to feast on, making sunflowers a garden hotspot for wildlife.

These cheerful flowers are also a joy for gardeners—whether you’re growing them for their towering height, vibrant yellow petals, or even edible seeds, sunflowers are an easy way to bring beauty and life to your garden. Plus, their sturdy stalks can serve as a natural trellis for climbing plants like beans or morning glories, adding even more versatility.

Sedums

Sedums are an excellent choice for supporting pollinators because they offer an abundant, easily accessible source of nectar and pollen. Their flowers, which form dense clusters of small, star-shaped blooms, are especially attractive to a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and even some species of beetles. Sedums bloom in late summer and early fall, which is a critical time when many other flowers have finished blooming, providing much-needed nourishment for pollinators preparing for the colder months.

In addition to their timing, sedums are incredibly resilient plants. They thrive in sunny locations and can tolerate drought, poor soil, and extreme conditions, making them a very dependable food source even in areas where other plants have struggled to grow. Their vibrant flowers come in beautiful shades of pink, red, yellow, and white, naturally drawing in pollinators and creating a lively habitat.

Furthermore, sedums require minimal maintenance, meaning gardeners can cultivate them easily while still contributing to the health of local ecosystems. Their long blooming period ensures a consistent supply of nutrition, supporting pollinator populations throughout the growing season. By planting sedums, gardeners can help sustain the delicate balance of the environment, aiding pollinators in their crucial role of pollination, which benefits both wildlife and the broader agricultural system.

Dahlia’s

Dahlias are excellent for pollinators because their vibrant, showy blooms provide a rich source of nectar and pollen, attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Open centred varieties of dahlias, such as single-flowered types, are particularly pollinator-friendly, as their simple structure makes it easy for insects to access the floral resources. Dahlias bloom from midsummer until the first frost, offering a continuous supply of nourishment during the growing season, especially in late summer and early fall when other flowers may begin to wane.

Their wide range of colours and shapes act as a beacon for pollinators, enhancing biodiversity in the garden. Additionally, dahlias thrive in sunny conditions and adapt well to various soil types, making them a versatile addition to pollinator-friendly landscapes. By including dahlias in your garden, you not only enjoy their stunning aesthetics but also create an essential habitat that supports the health and activity of pollinator populations.

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