What to plant for wildlife
A year-round approach for wildlife
By taking a year-round approach, you can create a wildlife-friendly garden that provides consistent resources throughout the seasons for wildlife. It is important to carefully choose a wide variety of plants that will provide resources such as food, shelter, and nectar at different times of the year.
By carefully planning your garden, you can create a continuous and reliable source of food and shelter for the local wildlife throughout the year.
Of course, if you don’t want to go to the effort of curating such a comprehensive wildlife-friendly garden, there is another excellent option – planting a bee and butterfly mix. This stunning combination of annual and perennial flowers is specifically designed to maximise nectar for pollinators.
Spring
In early spring, varieties like pansies or crocus provide vital nectar for emerging pollinators after dormancy, such as bees and butterflies.
Pansy (Trailing) Cool Wave Mix
Pansy (Trailing) ‘Cool Wave Mix’ is a trailing variety producing abundant blooms in a vibrant mix of colours over compact, spreading foliage. Ideal for containers, hanging baskets, and borders, it provides long-lasting colour with excellent over-wintering performance.
Pansy (Trailing) Cool Wave Violet Wing
Pansy (Trailing) ‘Cool Wave Violet Wing’ is a trailing variety producing abundant violet blooms with deep purple wings over compact, spreading foliage. Ideal for containers, hanging baskets, and borders, it provides long-lasting colour with excellent over-wintering performance.
Summer
As summer arrives, incorporate vibrant annual flowers, which are rich in nectar, such as Cosmos or Osteospermum, to sustain an abundance of pollinators
Cosmos bipinnatus Fizzy Pink
Makes a great addition to any garden delivering stunning displays of pink, semi-double flowers on attractive 100cm plants with ferny wispy foliage.
Osteospermum ecklonis Sky And Ice
Osteospermum ecklonis ‘Sky And Ice’ produces striking daisy‑like blooms in contrasting sky blue and crisp white tones. Ideal for containers, borders, and rock gardens, it flowers abundantly through summer and brings vibrant colour to borders and patio displays.
Autumn
As autumn approaches, include plants with colourful foliage and showy seed heads like sunflowers or echinacea. These provide food and cover for migrating birds or overwintering insects.
Sunflower Giant Grey Striped
Sunflower ‘Giant Grey Striped’ is a single-stemmed variety growing over 6ft tall with large yellow blooms. Its striking height suits the back of borders, and the large seeds can be eaten or left for birds.
Echinacea (Coneflower) Purple
A Hardy colourful “Herbaceous Perennial” attaining 24-36 inches high with long-lasting, large purple flowers that resemble Black-Eyed Susan’s. Its long stems make it ideal for cut flower bouquets. It does great in moist or dry soils, and combines well with other tall perennials such as Daisies. The bloom period for these flowers is Spring and…
Winter
Even in the dormant winter months, evergreen hollies or winterberry shrubs can help sustain wildlife when other resources are scarce.
