You can plant these no matter what size of garden you have
White-tailed Bumblebees (Bombus Lucorum) on a Buddleja Globosa (Orange ball Tree)(Image: PAUL WILLIAMS/Getty)
No matter the size of your garden, there are many plants and shrubs you can grow to create a welcoming habitat that attracts wildlife throughout the year. However, there are certain species you may want to include that specifically attract butterflies and bees.
Ceri Thomas, Editor of Which? Gardening, explains that shrubs enhance the appearance of a garden. The right choices can also attract, protect and shelter wildlife, transforming your outdoor space into a natural haven.
She studied horticulture at university and has spent her career editing gardening content. She has now selected some of the best native and non-native shrub varieties to help support garden visitors throughout the year.
Plant these shrubs this summer
She explains: “Summer is a great time of year to sit back and let nature bloom, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be proactive in looking after wildlife. Blossoms will attract small insects, which will serve as a nutritious food source for birds.
“You can help even more by topping up bird feeders and leaving out fresh water to keep wildlife hydrated.”
Hebe
The Hebe is a plant mostly native to New Zealand. Of roughly 100 species world-wide, New Zealand has 80.
Native to New Zealand, hebe is a sun-loving evergreen shrub that attracts pollinators like bees and hoverflies. She explains: “This attractive garden favourite enjoys plenty of sunshine and warmth.
“Hebes are fantastic for attracting a number of insects, from pollinators like bees to hoverflies. Plus, the evergreen foliage provides great shelter for small birds all year round. Hebes are usually small and fairly low maintenance, only requiring a trim during the late summer to maintain neatness.”
Elder (sambucus)
Elders are hardy hedgerow shrubs commonly found along ditches and field edges. They produce bright flowers in early summer, which are wind-pollinated and later develop into berries that provide a valuable food source for hungry birds.
Buddleia (Buddleja globosa)
These plants may help attract wildlife to your garden(Image: Getty)
While wild buddleia can grow vigorously and become invasive, Buddleja globosa (also known as the ‘orange ball tree’) is generally easier to manage in a garden setting. True to its nickname, the ‘butterfly bush’, buddleia is well known for attracting butterflies.
She added: “During the day it also attracts bees, and moths by night. Cut all the stems back to 45-60cm tall in March to encourage vigorous growth and the best display of flowers.
“The orange variety is slightly slower growing than the purple, so ideally prune it after the flowers have finished while leaving some longer stems through the winter to protect bugs and wildlife.”
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