Creating a green space that attracts pollinators is one of the best ways to contribute to the environment whilst enhancing the aesthetic and health of urban environments. Not only do pollinators help keep your plants healthy and flourishing, but they also support biodiversity and create microhabitats that are often missing not only from cities but built up towns too.
Whether you want to create a vibrant display on an unused external wall of your shop, or turn your apartment into a safe space for insects, pollen-rich flowers are the best place to start.
At Walls of Plants, we have our favourite varieties and species of plants that are perfect for your green space and highly beneficial for various pollinators.
Common pollinators
Pollinators are any animal that moves pollen from between flowers.
Common pollinators include:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Wasps
- Hoverflies
- Moths
- Beetles
Pollinators are attracted to different plants depending on their species, so it is best to source a variety of plants to ensure your green space is suitable for a wide range of wildlife.
Plants for pollinators
Hebe
Hebe plants are a favourite of pollinators, and they are the perfect addition to any green space because their evergreen shrubs stay consistent throughout the year, even as their flowers disappear in autumn.
These plants provide an abundant source of nectar and pollen, which are crucial for the energy and nutrition needs of insects. The flowers’ varying colours and shapes make them accessible to different pollinator species, including solitary bees, ensuring a vibrant and healthy garden.
Varieties include red edge, caledonia, champagne, burning heart and celine.
Let’s not forget that they can be grown both in the ground and in pots. Whatever your garden setup, Hebe plants will slot right in.
Best for:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
Lavender
Lavender’s aromatic scent and vibrant purple flowers are irresistible to bees and butterflies. The flowers produce nectar throughout summer, and the structure of the flowers makes it easy for pollinators to access.
It grows best in a sunny spot, and brings a calming, homely feel to any garden, balcony or green wall. It won’t just be your local pollinators who stop and take in the view.
Best for:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Hoverflies
Heather
Heather plants bloom in late summer and autumn when other nectar sources might be scarce, making them an invaluable resource for bees and other pollinators. The small, bell-shaped flowers are packed with nectar and attract a variety of insects, ideal for creating a thriving microhabitat wherever your home or office might be.
Interspersed with other plants, heather provides a beautiful pop of purple, which is why so many people opt to have heather pots in external plant walls. As a native plant, they are robust and suited to the natural British climate so you won’t need to worry about losing them to the weather.
Heather’s long blooming season ensures that pollinators have access to food even in the later months of the year.
Best for:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hoverflies
Salvia
Salvia, also known as sage, produces tall spikes of flowers that are rich in nectar. The bright colours and tubular shape of the flowers make them particularly attractive to bees who can access the nectar using their long tongues.
Best for:
- Bees
- Butterflies
Bergenia
Bergenia, with its large, pink or white flowers, blooms early in the spring, providing one of the first nectar sources for bees emerging from hibernation. The flowers are loved by both bees and butterflies, offering a reliable food source during the early months of the year. They grow well in most soil types and thrive in both sun and shade.
This is when it is most crucial for pollinators to access nectar as they will be building their nests and preparing for a long year. They need food that is easy to get to, and what better flower is there than one with open leaves and exposed pollen?
Best for:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Flies
Aubrieta
Aubrieta is a low-growing, mat-forming plant that produces masses of small, vibrant flowers in early spring. Like Bergenia, these flowers are perfect for pollinators in the early months of the year before summer blooms.
The dense flower clusters give pollinators plenty of flowers to bounce between, with plentiful quantities of pollen to collect and nectar to drink.
Best for:
- Bees
- Butterflies
If you wish to transform an external wall on your home or office into a vibrant ecosystem where pollinators not only live but thrive, look no further than Walls of Plants.
Our GreenWalls are designed to create a more sustainable urban environment through the introduction of green spaces that support a wide range of wildlife. Our horticultural expert carefully selects plants that bring new microhabitats to built up areas, with pollinators and biodiversity in mind.
