Though it appears the environment has been put on the backburner by governments and corporations for the last few decades, even centuries, it’s important to understand that the onus still isn’t on the individual to change the planet for the better. Nevertheless, there are a huge variety of things that the environmentally conscious can do to feel a little bit better about the direction that our planet is going in.
Whether that involves switching out single-use plastic for reusable, sustainable alternatives such as water bottles, lunch boxes and straws; going zero-waste and grocery shopping via planet-friendly dispensaries; or even growing the majority of your own food at home – the choice is yours. If, however, you’re in the privileged position of living in a home with a garden or extended outdoor space, why not think about ways you can improve biodiversity in your microhabitat?
A key way to maintain healthy blooms is by ensuring you have a variety of different plants which attract pollinators. If you cast your mind back to biology GCSE, you might recall the concept of a symbiotic relationship – which essentially translates to: you do right by me, and I’ll do right by you. If your garden is filled to the brim with plants that attract pollinators such as bumblebees, butterflies, and beetles, not only will this keep the insects happy and full of nectar, but it’ll ensure that they keep coming back for more. This back and forth travel will allow pollen to transfer from garden to garden and plant to plant, promoting the growth of beautiful flowers and improving biodiversity across the board.
What are the main insect pollinators in the UK?
The main insect pollinators in the UK consist of a variety of bees – solitary bees, bumblebees, and honeybees – as well as butterflies, moths, hoverflies, and beetles.
Why are some insects attracted to certain flowers and not others?
Many of us know that plants with bright petals and lovely scents attract pollinators. However, even the prettiest and sweetest smelling blooms might not be considered insect-attracting pollinators. This is simply because some plants have evolved to attract insect pollinators, while others have adapted to undergo pollination via environmental factors like wind.
Which pollinator plants should I avoid if I have a pet?
There are a fair few plants which you should avoid introducing to your garden if you have house pets like dogs and cats. These include, but aren’t limited to:
- Bluebells
- Crocuses
- Chrysanthemum
- Buttercup
- Daffodil
- Delphinium
- Foxglove
- Hydrangea
- Wisteria
- Yew
Are there pet-friendly pollinator plants?
Yes, there are! The best pet-friendly pollinator plants include:
- Roses
- Begonias
- Pansies
- Marigolds
- Petunias
- Magnolias
- Hyacinth
- Snapdragon
For a seasonal list of pollinator-friendly plants, The Wildlife Trust has a fantastic guide. Without further ado, keep scrolling for the best pollinator plants and UK native wildflower seed mixes for a bloomin’ beautiful garden or windowsill.
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Best pet-friendly pollinator plants
Kabloom - Eco Friendly Lovebom Seedbom - Forget Me Not Seeds
This seed bomb comes in a fantastic grenade-shaped biodegradable casing in order to promote guerrilla gardening. Filled to the brim with Forget Me Not seeds as well as organic compost to help them grow, the Kabloom will have your outdoor space brimming with beautiful, pet friendly flowers in no time. Simply give your Kabloom a good shake , soak it in water and toss it in your nearest flower bed – it’s really that simple.
Buy now £5.27, Amazon
2000+ Pet Friendly Flower Seed Mix
This pet friendly wildflower mix weighs approximately 5g, yet contains over 2,000 different pollinator seeds. Easy to grow during the spring and summer, you’ll be sprouting non-toxic heirloom blooms from your ears. Some of the seeds within the mix include Baby’s Breath, Calendula, Catchfly, Cornflower and Spurred Snapdragon.
Buy now £3.01, Etsy
Marigold French Seeds - Orange Winner
A spiritually rich flower, orange Marigolds are celebrated by Hindus due to the fact that they symbolise the sun, positivity and brightness. Similarly, Marigolds are used during Dia de Los Muertos to represent the connection between life and death, as well as purity and divinity. It just so happens that they are also fantastic pollinator plants. Pick up a selection of 120+ seeds and watch these extra special flowers bloom over time. Sow outdoors from April-May for blooms in June-September.
Buy now £2.49, Suttons
Antirrhinum Seeds - F1 Crackle & Pop Mix
Antirrhinum, otherwise known as Snapdragons for their characteristic, anthropomorphic blooms, are a fantastic pet-friendly pollinator option. They come in a variety of beautiful colours, and you can pick up a diverse seed mixture such as this F1 Crackle & Pop mix if you’re the type of gardener who enjoys organised, bloomin’ chaos. If sown correctly, they’ll bloom from June up until mid-October.
Buy now £2.99, Suttons
Pansy Seeds - Giant Fancy Mix
Make like Alice and step through the looking glass with a delightful selection of pollinator-friendly pansies. We can’t help but picture the dancing posies of wonderland when gazing upon these stunning blooms. Thanks to their versatile sowing periods, Swiss Giant Pansies are a hardy annual or biennial plant which are incredibly easy to grow and have a long flowering period for nearly year-round blooms.
Buy now £2.49, Suttons
Hyacinth 'T&M Mix'
Typically sold as bulbs which are suitable for greenhouse or outdoor growing, Hyacinths are a wonderfully low-maintenance flower which come in an array of stunning pink and purple hues. They have a characteristic feather-duster-esque bloom head, poking out of plant pots and shrubbery to reveal their gorgeous flowers and sweet perfumed scent.
Buy now £9.99, Thompson Morgan
Other pollinator friendly plants
Honeybee Mix Seeds
Developed in conjunction with Gales Honey and based on research conducted by the Butterfly Conservation and the Woodland Trust, if you’re keen to help save the bees in honour of World Bee Day on May 20 – pick up this honeybee friendly seed mix from Suttons. Containing over 25 UK-native species which are rich in nectar and pollen, this pack contains an average of 1000 seeds to ensure successful growing. If you’re also keen to have lovely butterflies fluttering around your garden, pick up their Butterfly friendly seed mix too.
Buy now £3.49, Suttons
Balcony seeds kit
Just because you don’t have a garden, doesn’t mean you can’t get in on the pollinator plant fun. Patch has designed a kit full of flowers and herbs to help you grow plants on your windowsill. The set includes Sweet Pea, Nasturtium, Rudbeckia, Cornflowers, Moroccan Mint and Cosmos. It also includes soil discs to help you start growing, but Patch also suggests investing in some compost for later down the line. You might also want to pick up a pair of secateurs for the inevitable haircut.
Buy now £20.00, Patch
Colourful Annuals Mix Seeds
A collection of 20 native to the UK wildflowers, this seed mix contains over 1000 pollinator friendly seeds - though we wouldn’t recommend them for pet-owning households. The mix includes beautiful, low-effort blooms such as Common Poppy and Cornflower and is suitable for domestic flowerbeds, containers and large pots for summer flowering. If you are limited on space, you can pick up the a mix of the very same seeds that has instead been designed for window boxes.
Buy now £3.49, Suttons
Digitalis purpurea 'Sutton's Apricot'
If you’ve ever visited Cumbria, you’ll have come across an array of brightly coloured Foxgloves. Otherwise known as Digitalis Purpurea, these flowers are a short-lived perennial or biennial bloom – but are worth the wait. This seed mix is for a soft pink, peachy foxglove which looks delightful in the springtime, and will have butterflies and bees flocking to your garden. Sold in packs containing 150 seeds.
Buy now £1.95, Sarah Raven
Seedball Bee Mix Seed Bombs
We love the ease afforded by seed bombs, and this bee friendly scatter mix of seed balls will make growing pollinator-friendly blooms easier than ever. Each tin contains a mixture of Poppy, Chamomile, Cornflower, Corn Marigold and Night–Flowering Catchfly seeds for scattering during the autumn months. If bees make your allergies flare up, you can pick up a Butterfly or Urban Meadow mix.
Buy now £7.50, Amazon
Verbena bonariensis
The butterfly-attracting Verbena Bonariensis – otherwise known as Purpletop Vervain – is an impressive, violet pollinator plant which grows at head height, making it a great plant for those looking to create a wilder-looking garden. One pack contains 250 seeds.
Buy now £2.50, Sarah Raven
Lavender 'Munstead' - Kew Pollination Seed Collection
Easy to grow, wonderfully fragrant and perfect for collecting blooms to dry and display during colder months, Lavender is a hardy and pollinator friendly shrub. Whether you’d simply like to grow a lavender bush, or dedicate an entire pathway to the perfumed blooms, rest-assured they’ll attract plenty of lovely bees and butterflies.
Buy now £0.99, Thompson Morgan
Wild Marjoram - Kew Pollination Seed Collection
Widely used in Italian cooking and as an easily-sourced alternative to Mexican Oregano, Wild Marjoram is another hardy perennial that’ll attract all sorts of pollinators – whether positioned on a windowsill, in a kitchen garden or a larger outdoor space.
Buy now £3.99, Thompson Moran
