How to Attract Bees and Butterflies to your Garden This Spring

Seedball

Now, we know we are biased but we think there’s nothing better than seeing bees and butterflies buzzing around your garden – but with their habitats shrinking, they need our help more than ever.

Pollinators are essential for a healthy ecosystem, but with fewer wild spaces available, gardens have become one of the most important places for them to feed and thrive.

The good news is that creating a pollinator-friendly garden is easier than you might think. With the right plants and a little thoughtful planning, you can turn even the smallest patch of soil into a wildflower haven. Here’s how to get started.

1. Choose the Right Plants

The most effective way to attract pollinators is by planting nectar-rich flowers that bloom throughout the season. Native wildflowers are particularly effective because they’ve evolved alongside British pollinators, providing the perfect balance of nutrients.

Here are some of the best pollinator-friendly options:

Cornflower – Loved by bees for its bright colour and easy-to-access nectar.
Common Poppy – A favourite with both bees and butterflies.
Oxeye Daisy – Provides a steady nectar source throughout the season.
Red Campion – Particularly attractive to long-tongued bumblebees.
Froget me not – did you know the centres turn from yellow to white so bees know which flowers have been visited!

Our set of five wildflower tubes includes all of these wildflowers, creating a steady food source for pollinators from early spring to late summer. Scatter seed balls directly onto soil and let nature do the rest (although watering regularly will give them a super boost).

Wildflower Collection (Set of Five)
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2. Create a Bee and Butterfly-Friendly Haven

It’s not just about the flowers — creating the right growing conditions will make a huge difference. Bees and butterflies need warmth, shelter, and access to water to thrive.

Plant in a sunny spot – Most wildflowers prefer full sun.
Leave some bare soil – Many solitary bees nest in the ground.
Avoid pesticides – Even natural sprays can interfere with pollinator health.
Create a water source – A shallow dish of water with a few stones for landing will help pollinators hydrate safely.

Scatter seedballs directly onto soil — there’s no need to dig. The clay casing protects the seeds from predators and weather until they’re ready to germinate. Once they’ve started growing, just water occasionally and let nature take over.

3. Keep It Thriving

Once the flowers are in bloom, a few small adjustments will help keep your garden thriving for longer.

Water lightly in dry weather, especially during the first few weeks.
Allow plants to go to seed — this will encourage self-seeding and create a natural cycle. You can collect the seed to scatter further or give to friends.
Avoid cutting back plants too early. Dead flower heads provide food and shelter for insects through autumn and winter.

Many of our customers find that their seedballs self-seed year after year, creating a sustainable and low-maintenance pollinator haven. Don’t forget the perennials take time to establish and you might not see much at all in the first year but the display will get bigger and better each year! Once you’ve established a wildflower patch, it will take care of itself with very little effort.

Conclusion

Attracting bees and butterflies to your garden isn’t just good for the environment — it’s deeply rewarding to watch nature thrive. A bee-friendly garden is just a few seedballs away. Scatter, water, and let nature do the rest.

Making a start now? Check out our Set of 5 Tubes, bulk bags and Wildlife Collection to give pollinators everything they need to thrive. Order now and start growing a pollinator-friendly garden today!