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.

138 products

    138 products
    Hibiscus syriacus 'Red Heart' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Rose of Sharon 'Red Heart'

    Hibiscus syriacus 'Red Heart'

    £11.99
    1
    Mahonia leptodonta Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Fine-toothed Mahonia

    Mahonia leptodonta

    £28.99
    1
    Grevillea juniperina 17cm / 2L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Juniper-leaved Grevillea

    Grevillea juniperina

    £19.99
    1
    Hydrangea aspera 'Hot Chocolate' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Velvet Hydrangea 'Hot Chocolate'

    Hydrangea aspera 'Hot Chocolate'

    £22.99
    1
    Geranium palmatum 17cm / 2L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Giant Cranesbill (Madeira)

    Geranium palmatum

    £19.99
    1
    Acanthus mollis 'Wofford Rhubarb' 9cm / 0.5L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Bear's Breeches 'Wofford Rhubarb'

    Acanthus mollis 'Wofford Rhubarb'

    £8.99
    1
    Agapanthus praecox 'Zambezi' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    African Lily 'Zambezi'

    Agapanthus praecox 'Zambezi'

    £18.99
    1
    Acacia boormanii 13cm / 1L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Snowy River Wattle

    Acacia boormanii

    £19.99
    1
    Daphne laureola subsp. philippi Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Dwarf Spurge Laurel

    Daphne laureola subsp. philippi

    £32.99
    1
    Tamarix tetrandra 17cm / 2L (Collection Only) Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Tamarisk (Spring-flowering)

    Tamarix tetrandra

    £16.99
    1
    Abutilon 'Kentish Belle' 17cm / 2L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Hardy Abutilon 'Kentish Belle'

    Abutilon 'Kentish Belle'

    £17.99
    1
    Abutilon 'Patrick Synge' 17cm / 2L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Hardy Abutilon 'Patrick Synge'

    Abutilon 'Patrick Synge'

    £17.99
    1
    Banksia integrifolia 9cm / 0.5L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Coast Banksia

    Banksia integrifolia

    £16.99
    1
    Callistemon citrinus violaceus 23cm / 5L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Purple Bottlebrush

    Callistemon citrinus violaceus

    £29.99
    1
    Callistemon pallidus 'Bianco' 23cm / 5L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Lemon Bottlebrush 'Bianco'

    Callistemon pallidus 'Bianco'

    £29.99
    1
    Wisteria floribunda 'Kimono' 23cm / 5L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Japanese Wisteria 'Kimono'

    Wisteria floribunda 'Kimono'

    £44.99
    1
    Wisteria floribunda f. rosea 'Kuchi-beni' 23cm / 5L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Japanese Wisteria 'Kuchi-beni'

    Wisteria floribunda f. rosea 'Kuchi-beni'

    £44.99
    1
    Wisteria brachybotrys 'Showa-beni' 23cm / 5L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Silky Wisteria 'Showa-beni'

    Wisteria brachybotrys 'Showa-beni'

    £44.99
    1
    Rhus chinensis 23cm / 5L (Collection Only) Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Chinese Sumac (Nutgall Tree)

    Rhus chinensis

    £42.99
    1
    Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape) Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Oregon Grape

    Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape)

    £15.99£19.99Save 20%
    1
    Sarcococca saligna (Willow-leaf Sweet Box) Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Willow-leaf Sweet Box

    Sarcococca saligna (Willow-leaf Sweet Box)

    £18.29£22.99Save 20%
    1
    Magnolia laevifolia 'Honey Velvet' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Fairy Magnolia 'Honey Velvet'

    Magnolia laevifolia 'Honey Velvet'

    £24.99
    1
    Diosma hirsuta 'Pink Fountain' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Confetti Bush (Breath of Heaven)

    Diosma hirsuta 'Pink Fountain'

    £16.99
    1
    Passiflora caerulea 'Constance Eliott' 15cm / 1.5L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    White passion flower

    Passiflora caerulea 'Constance Eliott'

    £12.49£14.99Save 16%
    1
    Eucalyptus gunnii 'Azura' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Cider Gum 'Azura'

    Eucalyptus gunnii 'Azura'

    £27.99
    1
    Hibiscus syriacus 'Speciosus' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Rose of Sharon 'Speciosus'

    Hibiscus syriacus 'Speciosus'

    £10.49£11.99Save 12%
    1
    Mahonia eurybracteata 'Volcano' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Oregon Grape

    Mahonia eurybracteata 'Volcano'

    £27.99£34.99Save 20%
    1
    Aristea ecklonii (Blue Stars) Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Blue Stars (Blue-eyed Iris)

    Aristea ecklonii (Blue Stars)

    £6.99£7.99Save 12%
    1
    Fatsia japonica 17cm / 2L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Japanese Aralia, Paper Plant

    Fatsia japonica

    £14.79£17.99Save 17%
    1
    Enkianthus campanulatus 17cm / 2L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Redvein Enkianthus

    Enkianthus campanulatus

    £17.99
    1
    Cercis canadensis 'Merlot' 23cm / 5L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Merlot Redbud (Eastern Redbud)

    Cercis canadensis 'Merlot'

    £49.29£54.99Save 10%
    1
    Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris 15cm / 1.5L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Climbing Hydrangea

    Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris

    £25.49£31.99Save 20%
    1
    Indigofera heterantha 19cm / 3L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Himalayan Indigo

    Indigofera heterantha

    £19.99
    1
    Tricyrtis 'Gilt Edge' 9cm / 0.5L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Toad Lily

    Tricyrtis 'Gilt Edge'

    £8.99
    1
    Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris 'Flying Saucer' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Climbing hydrangea 'Flying Saucer'

    Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris 'Flying Saucer'

    £21.79£25.99Save 16%
    1
    Citrus trifoliata | Poncirus trifoliata 23cm / 5L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Hardy orange

    Citrus trifoliata | Poncirus trifoliata

    £30.49£35.99Save 15%
    1
    Oxalis tetraphylla (deppei) 'Iron Cross' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Iron Cross / Good Luck Plant (Lucky Clover)

    Oxalis tetraphylla (deppei) 'Iron Cross'

    £5.99£7.99Save 25%
    1
    Geranium maderense | Giant Herb-Robert Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Giant Herb Robert (Madeira Cranesbill)

    Geranium maderense | Giant Herb-Robert

    £15.29£18.99Save 19%
    1
    Passiflora caerulea 15cm / 1.5L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Blue Passion Flower

    Passiflora caerulea

    £14.29£14.99
    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.