The Top 10 Nectar-Rich Plants for Your Garden
While any flower is a welcome addition, these ten species are proven winners for supporting UK wildlife. From the famous Butterfly Bush to aromatic herbs, there is something here for every garden size.
1. Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
Listed as the number one choice by the Butterfly Conservation group, the Buddleia is a must-have. Its massive flowering heads can attract up to 18 species of butterfly, including the Red Admiral and Peacock.
Best for: Butterflies, Bees, and even nocturnal Moths.
Top Tip: Cut it back to about 12 inches from the ground in early April to encourage a massive crop of new flowers.
2. Erysimum ('Bowles’s Mauve' Wallflower)
A wildlife gardener’s secret weapon. In favourable conditions, this plant can flower all year round, providing vital fuel for Queen Bees in early spring and final meals for hibernating butterflies in late autumn.
Best for: Year-round nectar and dense cover for small crawling insects.
3. Wild Marjoram (Oregano)
This easy-growing herb is a double-winner: it smells and looks great, tastes fantastic on home-made pizza, and attracts masses of bees and butterflies from June to September.
Best for: Small spaces and window boxes.
4. Sedum Spectabile (Autumn Joy)
Often called the Butterfly Plant, this produces a carpet of tiny pink flowers in late August. It is a vital source of late nectar when many other garden plants have finished blooming.
Best for: Late-season feeding (August – November).
5. Echinacea Purpurea (Coneflower)
Tall, elegant, and nectar-rich, these large daisy-like flowers are easy for butterflies to spot from a distance. They look superb in any border and bloom late into the autumn.
Best for: Attracting butterflies and bees with its large, accessible flower heads.
6. Lavender
Whether you plant it as a single shrub or a thick lilac hedge, Lavender is a staple of the British wildlife garden. It is famous for its scent and is a particular favourite of honeybees.
Best for: Bees and providing structure in the garden.
7. Salvia Verticillata (Purple Rain)
If you love bees, you need Salvia. This plant produces deep purple spikes that bees absolutely adore. It spreads quickly and flowers from early summer right through to the first frosts of autumn.
Best for: Specialist bee attraction.
8. Verbena bonariensis
While Salvia is for the bees, Verbena is for the butterflies! These tall, elegant stems carry flower heads high above other plants, acting like a neon sign for passing butterflies.
Best for: Adding height and attracting butterflies.
9. Achillea (Yarrow)
A versatile plant that works just as well in a formal border as it does in a wildflower meadow. Its flat landing pads made of tiny flowers are a favourite of hoverflies.
Best for: Hoverflies and low-fertility soils.
Nectar Plant Profiles
Here is the technical breakdown of our top picks to help you plan your planting:
| Plant Name | Flowering Season | Main Wildlife Attracted | Wildlife Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buddleia | July – October | Butterflies, Bees, Moths | 4/5 |
| Wallflower (Bowles’s Mauve) | All Year | Bees, Butterflies | 4/5 |
| Wild Marjoram (Oregano) | June – September | Bees, Butterflies, Moths | 4/5 |
| Sedum (Autumn Joy) | August – November | Butterflies, Bees, Hoverflies | 4/5 |
| Echinacea (Coneflower) | July – October | Butterflies, Bees | 4/5 |
| Lavender | June – September | Mainly Bees | 4/5 |
| Salvia (Purple Rain) | June – September | Mainly Bees | 3/5 |
| Verbena bonariensis | June – October | Mainly Butterflies | 3/5 |
| Achillea (Yarrow) | June – September | Mainly Hoverflies | 3/5 |
Quick Tips for Success:
Dead-heading: For most of these plants, removing dead flower heads will encourage the plant to produce even more flowers, extending the nectar season.
Sunlight: Most nectar-rich plants prefer full sun. This is also where butterflies like to feed so they can stay warm!
Diversity: By planting a mix of the species above, you ensure there is food available for wildlife from early spring through to the start of winter.