Encourage more butterflies and bees to your garden

As recently reported in BBC news there has been a worrying drop in bee numbers in the UK. The same is also happening for butterflies, as reported by The Guardian. So we need to do all we can to help their numbers as they have an important job in pollenating flowers around the country. And of course, without bees there would be no honey!

Grow bee-friendly plants and wildflowers in your home or school garden to attract bees and butterflies. Some of the best plants for bees and butterflies are:

Lavender
This plant with its purple flowers is well known for its relaxing, sweet scent, and is widely used in aromatherapy and is an essential oil. It is also extremely easy to grow in almost all areas, but prefers a sunny sheltered position in well drained soil. Bees and butterflies both love it. Grow some today!

Buddleia ( “Butterfly Bush” )
You can see this tall plant growing in many places such as along railway lines and empty grounds. It has long, purple flowers and can grow tall (So make sure it doesn’t get too overgrown!). You will be rewarded with beautiful cabbage, red admiral and other butterflies and bumble bees who love its sweet scent. Extremely easy to grow.

Hollyhocks
Another Bee favourite! These can grow as tall as sunflowers with one very thick stem full of lots of flowers in summer.  Again very easy to grow.

Jasmine & Honeysuckle
The Jasmine bush has plenty of small white flowers, the honeysuckle has rounded clusters of pink or yellow flowers. Both have  a great scent bees (and you!) will love.

Stinging nettles
They can be a pest, and you will notice if you touch one without gloves! But they are the perfect place for many butterflies to lay their eggs, including comma, tortoiseshell and red admirals.

Remember when you see bees and butterflies, watch but don’t disturb them. Follow our tip about making a wild corner too, and with these plants in your garden you’ll be helping these friendly insects to survive in the UK.

PS- our competition results will be announced soon!