Borage
Borage is a great pollinator plant. It’s so easy to grow from seed and has nectar rich flowers.
Lamb’s ears
If you grow lamb’s ears you might be lucky to see the Wool Carder bee in your garden. If you don’t grow lamb’s ears it’s time to plant some.
Image: Jean Vernon
Tortoiseshell Butterfly
The small tortoiseshell butterfly is fairly widespread in UK gardens
Image: Jean Vernon
Nature Table
A nature table is a great way to show others the beauty of insects, pollinators and bees
Image: Jean Vernon
Social Wasps
Wasps are not the bad guys. They are important pollinators and incredible natural garden pest control.
Hummingbird Hawk Moth
Look out for this extraordinary moth in your summer gardens. It hovers like a hummingbird but is actually a moth.
Globe Thistle
A really good late summer plant for pollinators is the globe thistle, Echinops ritro.
Viper’s Bugloss
If you grow one thing for the pollinators choose Viper’s bugloss
Bee Walks and Talks
Would you like to learn a bit more about the bees in your garden? During the spring and summer (mostly) I take bee walks or bee safaris at some very special gardens around the UK, from RHS Wisley, National Trust Hidcote, RHS Rosemoor to Yeo Valley Organic Garden & Jekka’s Herb Farm. It can be
RHS Wisley SuperBees
Jean Vernon was the bee expert in the Clore Education Centre at RHS Wisley SuperBees 2022