Plants for Wildlife & Pollinators


Plants for pollinators and garden wildlife in UK gardens. Nectar-rich hardy perennials, wildlife-friendly climbers and pollen-heavy exotic bulbs that feed bees, butterflies and hoverflies through spring, summer and autumn.

33 products

    33 products
    Fatsia japonica 'Spiders Web' 14cm / 2L Plants - Outdoor GrowTropicalsSale

    Fatsia japonica 'Spiders Web'

    £13.99 £14.49
    1
    Brunnera macrophylla 'Silver Heart' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Siberian Bugloss 'Silver Heart'

    Brunnera macrophylla 'Silver Heart'

    £14.99
    1
    Passiflora caerulea Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Blue Passion Flower

    Passiflora caerulea

    £14.99
    1
    Actinidia deliciosa (Golden Kiwi) Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Golden Kiwi

    Actinidia deliciosa (Golden Kiwi)

    £19.99
    1
    Eucomis bicolor 'White' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Pineapple Lily

    Eucomis bicolor 'White'

    £13.99
    1
    Eucalyptus gunnii 'Azura' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Cider Gum 'Azura'

    Eucalyptus gunnii 'Azura'

    £27.99
    1
    Edgeworthia chrysantha grandiflora Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Paperbush

    Edgeworthia chrysantha grandiflora

    £32.99
    1
    Oxalis tetraphylla (deppei) 'Iron Cross' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Iron Cross / Good Luck Plant (Lucky Clover)

    Oxalis tetraphylla (deppei) 'Iron Cross'

    £7.99
    1
    Wisteria floribunda 'Rosea' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Pink Japanese Wisteria ('Hon-beni')

    Wisteria floribunda 'Rosea'

    £30.99
    1
    Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Black Lace Elder 'Eva' PBR

    Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace'

    £16.99
    1
    Mahonia x media 'Charity' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Winter-Flowering Mahonia 'Charity'

    Mahonia x media 'Charity'

    £19.99
    1
    Crocosmia 'George Davidson' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Yellow Montbretia 'George Davidson'

    Crocosmia 'George Davidson'

    £19.99
    1
    Hibiscus syriacus 'Duc de Brabant' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Rose of Sharon 'Duc de Brabant'

    Hibiscus syriacus 'Duc de Brabant'

    £11.99
    1
    Hibiscus syriacus 'Hamabo' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Rose of Sharon 'Hamabo'

    Hibiscus syriacus 'Hamabo'

    £11.99
    1
    Canna 'Cannova Red Shades' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Canna Lily

    Canna 'Cannova Red Shades'

    £11.99
    1
    Canna 'Alaska White' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Canna Lily

    Canna 'Alaska White'

    £16.99
    1
    Campsis radicans Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Trumpet Vine

    Campsis radicans

    £19.99
    1
    Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack of Diamonds' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Siberian Bugloss 'Jack of Diamonds'

    Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack of Diamonds'

    £16.99
    1
    Zantedeschia aethiopica Pink Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Calla Lily (Arum Lily)

    Zantedeschia aethiopica Pink

    £13.99
    1
    Albizia julibrissin 'Ombrella' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Silk Tree (Persian Silk Tree)

    Albizia julibrissin 'Ombrella'

    £24.99
    1
    Wisteria floribunda 'Alba' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    White Japanese Wisteria

    Wisteria floribunda 'Alba'

    £31.99
    1
    Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Star of Milano' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Star Jasmine (Variegated)

    Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Star of Milano'

    £30.99
    1
    Wisteria floribunda 'Black Dragon' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Double Black Dragon Japanese Wisteria ('Yae-kokuryu')

    Wisteria floribunda 'Black Dragon'

    £31.99
    1
    Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Climbing Hydrangea

    Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris

    £31.99
    1
    Hedera helix 'Arborescens' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Tree Ivy (Shrubby Ivy)

    Hedera helix 'Arborescens'

    £21.99
    1
    Wisteria sinensis 'Prolific' 17cm / 2L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Chinese Wisteria 'Prolific' (Blue Wisteria)

    Wisteria sinensis 'Prolific'

    £30.99
    1
    Trachelospermum jasminoides Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Star Jasmine (Confederate Jasmine)

    Trachelospermum jasminoides

    £21.99
    1
    Crocosmia 'Carmine Brilliant' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Vermilion Montbretia 'Carmine Brilliant'

    Crocosmia 'Carmine Brilliant'

    £19.99
    Clematis armandii Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Armand Clematis (Evergreen Clematis)

    Clematis armandii

    £24.99
    1
    Hibiscus syriacus 'Red Heart' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Rose of Sharon 'Red Heart'

    Hibiscus syriacus 'Red Heart'

    £11.99
    1
    Hibiscus syriacus 'Admiral Dewey' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Rose of Sharon 'Admiral Dewey'

    Hibiscus syriacus 'Admiral Dewey'

    £11.99
    1
    Hibiscus syriacus 'Speciosus' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Rose of Sharon 'Speciosus'

    Hibiscus syriacus 'Speciosus'

    £11.99
    1
    Canna 'Kreta Red' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
    Canna Lily

    Canna 'Kreta Red'

    £16.99
    1

    The GrowTropicals Guide to Plants for Pollinators

    What are the best plants for pollinators?

    The best pollinator gardens have three things: long flowering season, single (rather than double) flowers, and diversity of shape. Bees, butterflies, hoverflies and moths each favour different flower forms, so the more variety, the more wildlife. Even a small UK garden can support a serious pollinator population if it flowers from March through October. Exotic-looking pollinator plants (Passiflora, Actinidia, hardy Salvia relatives) do double duty: bold visual impact and heavy nectar. Read our honest guide to what to expect from hardy exotics through the seasons before ordering.

    Care essentials for pollinator plants

    • Position: Most pollinator plants prefer full sun for maximum flowering. A sunny sheltered border also warms up faster in spring, extending the season for early bees.
    • Diversity: Aim for at least six different flowering species, staggered so something is in flower every month from March to October.
    • No pesticides: Avoid systemic insecticides on and around any plant flowering while pollinators are active. Neonicotinoids in particular are lethal to bees.
    • Flower form: Choose single flowers over double or ruffled cultivars. Doubles look full but usually give pollinators nowhere to land and little nectar reward.
    • Leave stems: Delay cutting back hollow-stemmed perennials until spring to give overwintering insects shelter.

    Explore the pollinator range

    Combine pollinator plants with hardy perennials, hardy climbers and exotic bulbs for a year-round nectar calendar. See the full Hardy Exotics range for more.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Nectar-rich, single-flowered plants that bloom over a long season are best for bees and butterflies. The plants in this collection are chosen to feed pollinators while bringing a bold, exotic look, so the garden works for wildlife and for you.

    Absolutely. A few nectar-rich plants in pots on a balcony or patio provide a valuable feeding stop for bees and butterflies, especially in towns where flowers are scarce. Even a small container display makes a difference.

    Plant pollinator favourites in groups, aim for flowers from spring to autumn, avoid pesticides, and provide a range of flower shapes. Leaving some seedheads and stems over winter also shelters insects through the colder months.

    No single plant does, but planting a mix gives a long succession of flower from spring to autumn, which is what pollinators need. Choosing early and late bloomers as well as summer flowers extends the feeding season.

    Yes, the pollinator plants in this collection are hardy and chosen to be easy to grow in UK gardens, in borders or pots. Each is labelled with its needs so you can place it where it will flower and feed best.

    Plants that feed bees and butterflies

    A garden full of pollinators is a garden full of life. The plants in this collection are chosen to feed bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other beneficial insects with nectar and pollen, while still bringing the bold, exotic look you are after. Helping wildlife and having a beautiful garden are the same job.

    Pollinator pots for balconies and patios

    You do not need a meadow to help pollinators. A few nectar-rich plants in pots on a balcony, patio or doorstep become a vital pit stop for passing bees and butterflies, especially in towns and cities where flowers can be scarce. Even a small container display makes a real difference.

    A border buzzing with life

    In a border, plant pollinator favourites in generous groups so insects can feed efficiently, and aim for a long season of flower from spring to autumn. Combining different flower shapes suits different insects, and leaving some seedheads and stems standing over winter shelters wildlife through the cold months.

    Care

    Grow pollinator plants in the position they prefer, avoid pesticides that harm beneficial insects, and let the garden be a little wild in places. Healthy, well-grown plants flower better and feed more, so the basics of good planting are the best thing you can do for wildlife.