Nectar Plants for Full Sun or Part Shade

Barberries           Bergamots              Buddlejas             Catmint            Columbines             Echinacea             Rudbeckia             Cornflowers (perennial)     Cranesbills          Escallonia               Evening Primrose             Heathers (Heath)                Heathers (Ling)           Hebe                Laburnum             Lavenders          Michaelmas Daisies             Mulleins                Japanese Roses                   Roses                   Rosemary                 Sage             Scabious       Sea Holly             Stonecrop               Globe Thistles                  Valerian                               Verbena               Wallflowers             Wisteria             Yarrow

Barberry (Berberis) Small red tinted yellow flowers in Spring are surprisingly popular with bees in particular, for whom it is an excellent pollen and nectar source. In Autumn the foliage turns rusty-scarlet. Its spiny stems provide a good site for birds' nests, and once made the native common shrub a popular hedging plant. Flowers: March - May Soil type: Well drained Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Bergamot (Monarda) Also known as Bee Balm, a rich nectar source from midsummer to early autumn. Monarda is easy to grow, and these varieties are not susceptible to mildew, which can be a problem. The plants have a pleasant and distinctive smell when handled. Flowers: July - September Soil type: Fertile, moist, well drained Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii) Pruned hard in the spring, Buddlejas, or Buddleias, will produce masses of honey scented flower spikes on arching stems from midsummer. They're easy to grow, and are the most spectacular butterfly plant in the garden. Flowers: August - September Soil type: Fertile, moist, well drained Minimum purchase : 1 View more information and

California Lilac (Ceanothus) Ceanothus is not only a good nectar plant in either spring or late summer (when the varieties we sell come into flower), but also serves as a food plant for many butterfly and moth larvae. The evergreen varieties also provide good cover for birds. It will do well in most sunny, well drained sites, although avoid calciferous soils. Flowers: Most July-September Soil type: Fertile, moist, well drained Minimum purchase : 1 View more information and

Catmint (Nepeta) Catmint's small blue flowers are out all summer, and are a boon particularly to bumblebees. It also provides a helpful spot for insects to over-winter, so don't tidy it up too early. Flowers: June-September Soil type: Fertile, moist, well drained Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Columbine (Aquilegia) The flower's structure encourages long tongued insects such as bumblebees and Hawk moths. In the wild they can be white, but are more normally blue or purple. They will tolerate some shade and self seed prolifically, which the birds enjoy. Flowers: May - June Soil type: Fertile, well drained Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Coneflower (Echinacea) Classic late blooming border perennial, very helpful nectar source from July. Coneflowers are now available on all sorts of colours, but remain hardy and reliable. Leave their seedheads over the winter for the birds. Confusingly shares the same English synonym with Rudbeckia. Flowers: July - September Soil type: Fertile, moist, well drained Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Coneflower (Rudbeckia) Rudbeckia are a good source of late summer nectar, flowering until the first frosts. They're easily grown from seed, and once you have them established they should spread. Flowers: September - October Soil type: Fertile, moist, well drained Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Cornflower, Perennial (Centaurea) Easy to grow, mat forming perennial relation of the annual Centaurea cyanus, which you can find in our cornfield seed mix. It too is a good nectar source for bees and butterflies. Flowers: June-July Soil type: Fertile, well-drained Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Cranesbill (Geranium) Vivid and pretty small flowers all summer, held above foliage. Naturalised from central Europe. Very useful groundcover - tolerant of most conditions (we have Dusky Cranesbill in deep shade) and attracting a surprising number of insects. Flowers: June - September Soil type: Fertile, well drained Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Escallonia Not for areas which experience regular deep frosts, but very tolerant of different soils and wind. Evergreen, with abundant flowers in midsummer, great for bumblebees and honey bees. Also associated particularly with the Silver Y Moth. Flowers: May - July Soil type: Any Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Escallonia (hedging option) Not for areas which experience regular deep frosts, but very tolerant of different soils and wind. Evergreen, with abundant flowers in midsummer, great for bumblebees and honey bees. Also associated particularly with the Silver Y Moth. This option offers a discounted price for orders of at least 10 plants. Flowers: May - July Soil type: Any Minimum purchase : 10 View more information and

Evening Primrose (Oenothera) Evening Primrose is an important source of nectar, particularly for nocturnal insects. Hoverflies, bees, and butterflies visit during the day. Flowers: June - August Soil type: Any, well drained Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Heather, Heath (Erica) Heath Heather's great selling points are that it is tolerant of alkaline soils and can flower all winter. These are valuable plants for honey bees, not just for its winter nectar, but also as an early pollen source. Best planted in larger groups. Flowers: December-March Soil type: Fertile, moist, well drained Minimum purchase : 10 View more information and

Heather, Ling (Calluna) Ling, or Scotch Heather, is renowned for the fantastic honey it makes. Beekeepers hereabouts transport their hives down to Exmoor for the heather season, in August and September. The varieties we sell, however, flower longer and provide important late nectar flow for both bees and butterflies. Best planted in larger groups. Flowers: August-December Soil type: Fertile, moist, well drained, non alkaline Minimum purchase : 10 View more information and

Hebe These neat and attractive evergreens flower all summer and attract all manner of pollinators. Flowers: June - October Soil type: Well drained Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Laburnum Seeds are poisonous, but curiously there are miles of planted laburnum hedges in the West. Richard Mabey speculates they might also have been grown for their unique timber. Their cascades of brilliant yellow racemes of flowers make a spectacular splash as a specimen tree. Flowers: May - June Soil type: Well drained View more information and

Lavender (Lavandula) Among lavender's many virtues is its value as a wildlife plant. Honey bees are particularly associated with it - they will work a fragrant hedge of it en masse at the height of summer - but of course other pollinators benefit from it too. We sell varieties of English (L. angustifolia) and French lavender (L. stoechas). Flowers: June - September Soil type: Well drained, L. angustifolia will do better than L. stoechas on heavier soils Minimum purchase : 10 View more information and

Lenten rose (Hellebore) Hellebores, or Christmas roses, or Lenten roses, are a valuable source of nectar for honey bees and early flying bumblebee Queens. We have selected the earliest flowering varieties, which will happily continue to flower through snow and deep frost. They will tolerate most conditions, but do best in light shade in heavy soil. Flowers: January - March Soil type: Well drained, moist, fertile Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Mahonia Fragrant architectural plant, spikes of yellow flowers, glossy leaves. The varieties we sell are a lovely splash of colour for a partly shaded area, and a really good nectar source in the dead of Winter for bees. Flowers: November - March Soil type: Fertile, moist or well drained Minimum purchase : 1 View more information and

Michaelmas Daisy (Aster) Asters provide excellent late season nectar, and are consequently covered in bees and butterflies in September and October. Their seedheads are also valuable for birds. Flowers: August - October Soil type: Fertile, moist, well drained Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Mullein (Verbascum) Mullein's large furry leaves are the food of the Mullein Moth caterpillar, which will defoliate a plant if left to themselves. The tall flower spikes are good nectar sources, and seedheads good for the birds. Flowers: May - June Soil type: Well drained Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Rose, rugosa (Rosa rugosa) The Shrub or Japanese Rose is now widely naturalised. It is an excellent hedge plant; not only is it very spiny, but it suckers freely. Easy to grow, it is tough and disease resistant. Its fragrant single flowers (avoid doubles and semi-doubles) are a good source of pollen and nectar and its bright red hips and habit make it helpful for birds. Roses are despatched bare root from November to February, and thereafter in pots. Flowers: July - September Soil type: Tolerant of most soils View more information and

Rose, species (Rosa) These varieties of shrub or species roses all have single flowers, rather than double, and are consequently useful in attracting pollinating insects. They are all scented. Roses are despatched bare root from November to February, and thereafter in pots. Flowers: July - September Soil type: Fertile, moist or well drained View more information and

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Upright purple/blue flower spikes and aromatic foliage. Many culinary uses, and Rosemary honey is delicious ! As a Mediterranean plant it is drought resistant, but will not do well on clay. Flowers: April - June Wildlife: Bees, butterflies, moths, birds Soil type: Well drained View more information and

Sage (Salvia officinalis) Evergreen bushy shrub, useful culinary herb, racemes of pretty blue-purple flowers. Flowers: July - September Wildlife: Bees, butterflies, birds Soil type: Fertile, moist or well drained View more information and

Scabious (Scabiosa) Useful and attractive nectar source from mid summer, when they will keep blooming if dead headed regularly. Flowers: July - September Soil type: Well drained Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Sea holly (Eryngium) These long flowering plants provide structure to borders and attract pollinating insects to their thistle like flowering heads. Flowers: July - September Soil type: Well drained Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Stonecrop (Sedum) A really good bee plant in particular, as it flowers so late in the season, just before the ivy comes out. Very trouble free, its huge numbers of tiny flowers are enjoyed by butterflies as well. Flowers: September- October Soil type: Any fertile, well drained Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Thistle, Globe (Echinops) Long flowering, unfussy perennials that provide nectar for bees and butterflies and seeds for finches. They will grow in most soils types so long as it is well drained, and need full sun. Flowers: July - August Soil type: Any, well drained Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Valerian (Centranthus) Red Valerian is a good source of nectar for moths, butterflies, and bees. Night flying moths are particularly attracted to the white varieties. It is drought resistant, preferring poor, thin soils, has an extended flowering period, and naturalizes readily. Flowers: May - August Soil type: Any well drained, but prefers poor Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Verbena Attracts particularly butterflies over its long flowering period. Holds clusters of puple flowers on elongated stems. Self seeds prolifically, but start it off in a sheltered spot. Flowers: July - October Soil type: Fertile, moist, well drained Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Wallflower, perennial (Erysimum) Cheerful bright early flowers attract insects in the spring. Wallflowers are also eaten by various caterpillars. Flowers: March - May Soil type: Fertile, moist, well drained Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and

Wisteria Traditional large climber. Flowers: May - July Soil type: Fertile, moist, well drained Minimum purchase : 1 View more information and

Witch hazel (Hamamelis) A good source of pollen for honey bees in the very early spring. Witch hazel flowers come in a dazzling array of of fragrant frost resistant colours. They look wonderfully exotic as specimen trees, flowering on bare wood. They are happy in sun or semi-shade. Flowers: December-February Soil type: Fertile, well drained, non alkaline Minimum purchase : 1 View more information and

Yarrow (Achillea) Achillea cultivars not only attract butterflies and bees, but are often visited by hoverflies and ladybirds. They are drought tolerant and their plate like flower heads are in bloom all summer. Flowers: July-September Soil type: Well drained Minimum purchase : 3 View more information and