Wild About Gardens, for the benefit of people and wildlife

Nectar

Honeysuckle, Rupert Paul

Nectar is the sweet liquid which flowers produce to attract pollinators such as bees, moths, beetles and hoverflies. (Fancy a taste? Pull off the flower of a white dead nettle, without breaking it, and suck the end that was attached to the plant. You'll find a bee-sized mouthful of sweetness).

As a rule of thumb, the best nectar plants are the ones closest to their wild cousins. Highly decorative or double-flowered varieties, which have been selectively bred for their appearance, often have little or no nectar value. The more nectar your garden has on offer, the more pollinators will visit - and where they come, other animals aren't far behind. In June and July, these visitors are spoiled for choice. But in spring and autumn you can really make a difference by planting flowers which offer a sugary drink when little else is around.

Suggested plants for a long nectar season >>