As winter gives way to spring, gardeners are being urged to plant five specific varieties before April to support pollinators. Morris Hankinson, Managing Director of Hopes Grove Nurseries, warns that without early nectar, bee colonies can weaken before the season begins.
First, shrubs that produce pollen-laden catkins in early spring are vital for queen bumblebees emerging in March. Honeysuckle, intensely fragrant and nectar-rich, appeals to both humans and bees and can be grown on trellises or as a shrub.
Another plant offers excellent ground coverage, blooming early and prolifically to benefit pollinators. Hawthorn, with berries for birds and flowers for bees, forms an excellent hedge and provides a stunning spring display.
Finally, a plant that flowers from late winter into early spring provides a crucial nectar boost when little else is available, ensuring pollinators return to the garden. These five plants, added before April, give bees and other wildlife the best chance of survival.
