
Sprouts’ Top 25 Plants to Attract Pollinators and Brighten Your Garden for Spring 2025
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Time to read 20 min
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Time to read 20 min
As we step into 2025, let’s take a moment to focus on how we can make our gardens not only beautiful but also useful, as vital havens for pollinators. These essential creatures - bees, butterflies, hoverflies, beetles, and more - play a critical role in supporting biodiversity. They ensure our gardens, food systems, and natural ecosystems thrive by pollinating plants and maintaining healthy habitats.
However, pollinators are threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide use, making it more important than ever to create spaces where they can feed, rest, and reproduce. One of the easiest ways to support them is by planting a variety of early-blooming flowers, shrubs, and trees that provide much-needed nectar and pollen at the start of the year.
This guide highlights 25 incredible plants to add to your UK garden this winter for a vibrant and pollinator-friendly spring. By planting now, you’ll ensure your garden offers vital food sources for species such as honeybees, butterflies, moths, beetles, bumblebees, and hoverflies as they emerge from hibernation.
Each entry in this guide includes:
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting your journey, these plants will not only enhance your outdoor space but also contribute to the well-being of pollinators and the environment.
Plants Featured Quick Links
You may have seen these delicate-seeming white flowers poking their heads through late winter snow in shady gardens or on woodland walks before. They are often the first sign of spring, heralding the new season and bringing hope of warmer days ahead.
Type: Perennial.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Snowdrops bloom in late winter or early spring, providing essential nectar and pollen for early-emerging queen bumblebees and solitary bees. By supporting these pollinators during a time of scarcity, you help kickstart the pollination cycle for the year.
Planting Tips: Snowdrops thrive in partial shade and well-drained soil. Plant them ‘in the green’ (just after flowering) for best results and long-term success.
Why plant now: Planting snowdrops in winter, especially ‘in the green’, allows them to settle into the soil during their dormant phase. This ensures they establish strong roots and return year after year with early blooms to feed pollinators.
Crocuses bring an instant pop of colour to the garden and are one of the easiest ways to brighten winter-weary spaces. Their jewel-toned blooms, in purple, yellow and white, are like tiny treasures scattered across lawns or borders.
Type: Perennial.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Crocuses offer easily-accessible nectar thanks to their cup-shaped blooms. They flower in perfect time to give honeybees, solitary bees, and bumblebees an energy boost during cool spring days when food is scarce and they’re just emerging from hibernation. Their bright colours are also highly attractive to pollinators.
Planting Tips: Make sure to plant them in a sunny spot, in free-draining soil. They naturalise beautifully in lawns, creating a meadow-like effect over time.
Why plant now: Winter planting still gives crocus bulbs the cool conditions they need to stimulate root growth. Their flowers should bloom just in time for spring, when pollinators will start looking for food.
Known as the 'Winter Rose' or ‘Lenten rose,’ hellebores bring elegance and colour to shady garden corners with their long-lasting blooms and evergreen foliage. Their rose-like blooms come in a variety of colours, so you can pick your favourites to fill your garden.
Type: Perennial.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Hellebores bloom from late winter to early spring, offering a vital nectar source for hoverflies and solitary bees. Hellebores’ open, bowl-shaped flowers are easy for pollinators to access, and their early flowering season supports insects emerging from winter dormancy; the length for their flowering also makes them more reliable for the pollinators throughout early spring.
Planting Tips: Plant in moist, well-drained soil in dappled shade. Remove older leaves in winter to showcase flowers and prevent disease.
Why plant now: Hellebores planted in winter will have time to establish their roots before their early flowering period. This ensures stronger, healthier blooms that can support pollinators emerging from dormancy.
A pretty plant with silvery-speckled foliage and tubular flowers that shift from pink to blue as they mature. Lungwort adds both colour and texture to shady borders.
Type: Perennial.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Lungwort provides nectar-rich tubular flowers, ideal for long-tongued bees and hoverflies. Its extended bloom period ensures pollinators always have food available in spring. Its shade tolerance makes it an excellent addition to underplanted borders.
Planting Tips: Plant in damp, shady areas with rich soil. It’s a great choice for woodland borders or shaded corners of your garden.
Why plant now: Lungwort thrives when planted in the cooler months, giving it time to root deeply before its spring growth spurt. This ensures it will be ready to produce nectar-rich flowers early in the season.
This fragrant shrub produces understated white blooms that fill the garden with a delightful scent, even on frosty days. A winter gem, it’s ideal for adding interest to borders or hedges.
Type: Perennial shrub.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Winter honeysuckle blooms during the cold months. Its fragrant, open flowers provide a reliable nectar source for nocturnal moths and early bees. It also supports hoverflies, which are vital for pest control and pollination.
Planting Tips: Grow in full sun or partial shade with well-drained soil. Plant it by a path or where you’ll walk past so you get to enjoy the fragrance as often as possible.
Why plant now: Planting winter honeysuckle during its dormant period allows it to establish a strong root system. This ensures a more abundant flowering period, providing nectar when other food sources are scarce.
A cheerful classic, primroses add a natural charm to gardens with their soft colours and early blooms. Perfect for cottage or woodland garden styles.
Type: Perennial.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Primroses bloom in early spring, providing essential nectar to butterflies and solitary bees just as they emerge from dormancy. They’re especially useful as they have a wide distribution and help butterflies to lay their eggs nearby. Their open flowers are accessible to a variety of insect species, too.
Planting Tips: Plant in cool, shady areas with well-drained soil. Ideal for borders or naturalising beneath trees.
Why plant now: Winter planting gives primroses the opportunity to settle in and produce their first blooms by early spring. This supports emerging pollinators and adds vibrant colour to your garden when few other plants are flowering.
These vibrant, bell-shaped flowers cluster in the first sun of the year and naturalise beautifully in gardens, creating drifts of blue or purple in early spring.
Type: Perennial.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Grape hyacinths offer early forage from their compact, nectar-filled blooms for solitary bees and beetles, which are key pollinators for flowering plants and help maintain biodiversity. For these early-waking pollinators, it’s also super useful that the grape hyacinth thrives in lots of different soil conditions - making them a low-maintenance option for your garden too.
Planting Tips: Plant in sunny or partially shaded areas with well-drained soil. Perfect for borders, rock gardens, or even containers.
Why plant now: Grape hyacinth bulbs need to experience winter’s cold temperatures to trigger their growth cycle. Planting now ensures they’ll be ready to bloom early and full of life-giving nectar.
A quintessential spring wildflower, bluebells create enchanting carpets of blue in woodlands and gardens alike. Their delicate scent adds extra charm.
Type: Perennial.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Bluebells bloom throughout spring, offering nectar and pollen to a diverse range of pollinators. Their nodding, bell-shaped flowers are perfectly adapted for long-tongued pollinators, including bee-flies, which mimic bees but are highly effective pollinators in their own right. Bluebells play an important role in supporting insects in woodland ecosystems.
Planting Tips: Plant in moist, well-drained soil. They thrive in dappled shade under trees or in naturalised wildflower areas.
Why plant now: Planting bluebell bulbs in winter ensures they have time to establish before their spring flowering season. Early planting helps protect the delicate native species and supports their long-term survival.
These bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers bring a splash of golden sun to the coldest days of the year, thriving in woodland and border settings.
Type: Perennial.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Winter aconites flower exceptionally early, providing vital sustenance for pollinators like bee-flies and hoverflies, which emerge before many other species. They offer energy when little else is in bloom, and are excellent for naturalising under trees.
Planting Tips: Plant tubers in a shady or partially sunny spot. They thrive in humus-rich, well-drained soil and spread readily over time.
Why plant now: Winter aconite tubers need to be planted in cold weather to settle and naturalise effectively. This ensures an early spring display that will attract and feed pollinators when few other plants are in bloom.
With their tall spires of tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white, foxgloves add height and drama to any garden.
Type: Biennial (self-seeds easily).
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Foxgloves cater specifically to long-tongued pollinators like bumblebees and specialised moths, helping them survive and continue to reproduce. Their deep, nectar-rich flowers also attract beetles that contribute to pollination. They’re particularly valuable in woodland edge habitats.
Planting Tips: Plant in partial shade or full sun with moist, well-drained soil. Allow seed heads to remain after flowering to encourage self-seeding for future growth.
Why plant now: Sowing foxglove seeds or planting seedlings in winter gives them time to establish and grow strong before their biennial flowering stage. This ensures their tall spires are ready to attract pollinators next season.
Delicate yet vibrant, dwarf irises add a splash of intense colour to spring gardens with their intricate blooms. Compact in size, they’re perfect for containers, rock gardens, or edging borders. Varieties like Iris ‘Katharine Hodgkin’, Iris ‘Katharine’s Gold’, and Iris ‘Louise’ showcase stunning patterns and shades of blue, gold, and purple.
Type: Perennial.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Their vivid, nectar-rich flowers stand out in early spring when food sources are still limited. This early blooming provides nectar and pollen for emerging pollinators, particularly solitary bees and bumblebees. Their compact size makes them versatile for smaller spaces while still supporting pollinators as the flowers are easy for them to access.
Planting Tips: Plant bulbs in well-drained soil and a sunny or partially shaded location. Ideal for rock gardens, containers, or at the front of borders, dwarf irises thrive with minimal care.
Why plant now: Planting in winter gives bulbs time to establish roots and ensures they bloom on time in early spring, providing an important food source for pollinators as they emerge.
These charming, low-growing flowers add a splash of colour and a nostalgic fragrance to borders and woodland gardens. Their spreading habit makes them ideal for ground cover.
Type: Perennial.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Violets bloom in early spring, providing a vital energy source in a time of scarcity. They offer nectar to a range of spring-emerging pollinators, including butterflies and wasps, which also help control garden pests. Their low growth habit makes them ideal for layering within planting schemes.
Planting Tips: Plant in partial shade with moist, rich soil. They thrive in woodland borders or under deciduous trees where they can spread naturally.
Why plant now: Winter planting ensures violets are well-established by spring, allowing them to bloom at the earliest opportunity, already full of nectar.
This tough shrub produces masses of small, bright yellow flowers throughout winter and early spring, bringing colour and life to bare gardens.
Type: Perennial shrub.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Its long flowering period ensures pollinators have a reliable and consistent food supply, even during frosty weather. This resilient plant is particularly good for the early-rising or nocturnal pollinators. Its tough nature makes it perfect for challenging garden spots.
Planting Tips: Grow against a sunny wall or trellis for support. Plant in well-drained soil and prune after flowering to encourage new growth.
Why plant now: Planting in winter allows the jasmine to root firmly before its spring growth spurt, setting the stage for vibrant blooms next winter.
With spiky evergreen foliage and clusters of bright yellow flowers, Mahonia brings a bold statement to gardens while providing for pollinators.
Type: Perennial shrub.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Mahonia blooms prolifically in late winter and early spring, offering nectar and pollen to bees, beetles, and early hoverflies when food is scarce. Its fragrant flowers are highly attractive to a range of pollinators, while its evergreen foliage adds year-round structure to the garden.
Planting Tips: Plant in partial shade with well-drained soil. Ideal for borders or as a focal point in wildlife-friendly gardens.
Why plant now: Winter planting ensures Mahonia has time to settle into the soil before its flowering period, allowing it to bloom more prolifically in spring.
Known for its vibrant blue, star-shaped flowers, Scilla creates stunning carpets of colour in early spring. A naturalising bulb, it’s perfect for borders and under trees.
Type: Perennial.
Pollinators Attracted:
Scilla provides early nectar and pollen to bees and flies, which play a crucial role in supporting flowering plants and the wider ecosystem.
Why they work: The early, bright blue blooms of Scilla are particularly attractive to bees and flies, offering an accessible and abundant food source at a critical time. These insects play a crucial role in supporting flowering plants and the wider ecosystem.
Planting Tips: Plant bulbs in well-drained soil and a sunny or partially shaded location. Ideal for rock gardens, borders, or wildflower areas.
Why plant now: Planting now gives bulbs the cool temperatures they need to establish roots, ensuring vigorous growth and flowering come spring.
Known for their intoxicating fragrance and vibrant colours, hyacinths are a favourite for spring gardens, with flowers in shades of pink, blue, white, and purple.
Type: Perennial.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: The tubular flowers of hyacinths are perfectly suited to long-tongued pollinators like bumblebees, while their strong fragrance attracts a range of other insects, like beetles. Hyacinths offer early-season sustenance to pollinators just as they emerge from dormancy.
Planting Tips: Plant bulbs in well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded spot. They grow beautifully in borders, containers, or near windows where their scent can be enjoyed.
Why plant now: Winter planting ensures hyacinths establish strong roots, setting the stage for fragrant, healthy blooms in early spring.
These sky-blue flowers with yellow centres create a delicate, low-growing carpet that’s perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to rock gardens or borders.
Type: Biennial or short-lived perennial (self-seeds easily).
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Forget-me-nots provide accessible nectar for a variety of pollinators, including butterflies and solitary bees, which are vital for maintaining biodiversity. Their small, open flowers are easy for these pollinators to access, ensuring a steady food supply throughout early spring.
Planting Tips: Plant in well-drained soil in sunny or partially shaded areas. Allow forget-me-nots to self-seed to enjoy their blooms year after year.
Why plant now: Planting in winter allows these hardy plants to establish quickly, ensuring a strong early display in spring.
This striking plant produces velvety, purple blooms with golden centres, followed by fluffy seed heads that add texture and interest to the garden.
Type: Perennial.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Pasque flowers bloom early in the season, offering nectar and pollen to bees, flies, and other pollinators that are essential for ecosystem balance. Their bold, nectar-rich flowers are irresistible to pollinators, while their drought tolerance makes them a resilient choice for rock gardens or sunny borders.
Planting Tips: Plant in full sun with well-drained soil. They thrive in rocky or sandy areas where they can remain undisturbed.
Why plant now: Winter planting ensures the pasque flower has time to establish roots before spring, leading to healthier blooms and more robust plants.
A native wildflower, cowslips feature nodding yellow flowers that add a splash of sunshine to meadows and gardens. They’re perfect for naturalising grassy areas.
Type: Perennial.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Cowslips are a critical nectar source for long-tongued pollinators, which specialise in accessing their deep flowers. They support early butterflies and solitary bees, blooming in early spring, when many other plants are still dormant.
Planting Tips: Plant in full sun or light shade with well-drained soil. They naturalise easily in grassy areas or wildflower meadows.
Why plant now: Winter planting gives cowslips time to settle before their spring bloom, ensuring a vibrant display and abundant nectar for pollinators.
This low-growing ground cover produces spikes of purple-blue flowers, making it a great choice for borders, rock gardens, or beneath trees.
Type: Perennial.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Bugle attracts a variety of pollinators, offering nectar to bees, hoverflies, and beetles, which also play a role in controlling pests. Its long flowering period ensures pollinators have a consistent food source, while its spreading habit helps suppress weeds in the garden.
Planting Tips: Plant in moist, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Bugle spreads easily, making it perfect for filling tricky spots.
Why plant now: Planting bugle in winter allows it to establish and spread before the growing season, ensuring strong early blooms in spring.
This dainty plant produces starry blue or pink flowers that brighten up gardens in early spring, creating a cheerful and elegant display.
Type: Perennial.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Glory of the Snow provides nectar and pollen to bees and flies just as they emerge in early spring. The small, vibrant flowers are a reliable and accessible food source, while their ability to naturalise makes them a long-term asset to any garden. The pollinators play a vital role in supporting other flowering plants and garden wildlife too.
Planting Tips: Plant bulbs in well-drained soil and full sun. They thrive under deciduous trees and in rock gardens, adding charm to overlooked spots.
Why plant now: Planting in winter gives the bulbs time to root and establish before their spring bloom, ensuring a vibrant display.
A symbol of spring, daffodils bring cheerful bursts of yellow, white, and orange to gardens. From the delicate Narcissus ‘Tete a Tete’ to the fragrant Narcissus ’Bridal Crown’, their versatility and vibrant blooms make them a favourite for borders, containers, and naturalising in grass.
Type: Perennial.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Daffodils provide necessary nectar in their easily-accessible trumpet-shaped flowers, ideal for early pollinators like long-tongued bees and butterflies. Supporting these species benefits the wider ecosystem by ensuring robust pollination for flowering plants.
Planting Tips: Plant bulbs in well-drained soil in sunny or partially shaded spots. They naturalise easily in grass or woodland settings.
Why plant now: Winter planting allows daffodils to establish their roots during dormancy, ensuring they bloom at their best in spring.
This fragrant shrub produces spikes of purple flowers in late spring and summer, adding colour and a soothing aroma to gardens.
Type: Perennial.
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Lavender is a magnet for pollinators, offering a long-lasting supply of rich nectar for bees, butterflies, and hoverflies thanks to its extended flowering season. Supporting these species enhances the health and biodiversity of your garden. Lavender is a favourite for a wide range of pollinators, and its evergreen foliage adds year-round structure to your garden.
Planting Tips: Plant in well-drained soil in full sun. Prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth.
Why plant now: Planting in winter gives lavender time to establish strong roots before its growing season, ensuring healthy blooms.
Also known as wild pansy, this charming wildflower features tricoloured blooms in purple, yellow, and white. Its delicate appearance hides its hardiness and versatility.
Type: Annual or short-lived perennial (self-seeds easily).
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Heartsease supports pollinators such as butterflies and bees, which rely on its easily-accessible nectar and pollen. These pollinators are essential for maintaining garden health and biodiversity. The flat-faced flowers are especially attractive to butterflies, while their ability to self-seed ensures they remain a long-term presence in your garden.
Planting Tips: Plant in moist, well-drained soil in sunny or partially shaded areas. Heartsease thrives in wildflower patches or as a filler in borders.
Why plant now: Winter planting allows heartsease to establish quickly, ensuring an abundant early display in spring.
A modest but highly valuable wildflower, red deadnettle produces clusters of small, pinkish-purple flowers that pollinators love. It’s an easygoing plant that fits well in wildflower areas or tucked into less cultivated parts of the garden.
Type: Annual or biennial (self-seeds easily).
Pollinators Attracted:
Why they work: Red deadnettle is a lifeline for early pollinators like queen bumblebees and hoverflies, offering nectar and pollen when few other flowers are blooming. Its small, tubular flowers are perfectly suited to their feeding habits, and feeding these early visitors helps them be ready for the busy pollination season ahead. Red deadnettle also plays a crucial role in supporting biodiversity.
Planting Tips: Plant seeds in well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded spot. Allow it to self-seed to maintain its presence in wildflower patches or informal borders.
Why plant now: Winter planting gives deadnettle a head start, ensuring it blooms early and provides for pollinators as they emerge.
Why are early-blooming plants important for pollinators?
Early-blooming plants provide vital nectar and pollen when food sources are scarce, especially in late winter and early spring. Many pollinators, like queen bumblebees and solitary bees, emerge from hibernation during this time and rely on these plants for energy to survive and reproduce.
What are the best flowers for bees in the UK?
Flowers like snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis), crocuses (Crocus spp.), and bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) are excellent for bees. These plants bloom early, offering easily accessible nectar and pollen to support bees at the start of their active season.
How can I create a pollinator-friendly garden in winter?
Plant early-blooming perennials and shrubs like winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) and winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum). Leave some wild areas with plants like red deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) and ivy to provide shelter and food for insects during the colder months.
What’s the benefit of planting now, in winter?
Planting in winter allows bulbs, perennials, and bare-root shrubs to establish strong root systems before spring growth begins. This ensures they bloom on time, providing early-season resources for pollinators.
Are pollinator-friendly plants hard to care for?
Not at all! Many pollinator-friendly plants, like lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.) and bugle (Ajuga reptans), thrive with minimal care and naturalise easily. They’re perfect for low-maintenance gardening.
Plant Early-Blooming Species Now:
Choose plants like snowdrops, crocuses, and winter aconites to ensure a food supply for pollinators in early spring.
Provide Diversity:
Include a variety of plants to attract different pollinators, from bees and butterflies to beetles and flies.
Avoid Pesticides:
Keep your garden pesticide-free to ensure a safe habitat for pollinators.
Include Wildflower Areas:
Allow plants like red deadnettle and heartsease to self-seed for a natural, pollinator-friendly space.
Create Shelter:
Incorporate hedges, shrubs, or even a log pile to provide shelter for insects in winter.
Water Sources:
Add a shallow water dish with pebbles for pollinators to drink from safely.
Plan for Succession Planting:
Pair early bloomers with summer-flowering plants to provide a continuous food source throughout the year.