Top 5... flowering shrubs for bees

Give our early pollinators a feast with one of these statuesque spring bloomers

1 Cornus mas

Honey scented, golden, star-burst flowers smother branches from late winter to mid-spring attract. Partial shade and welldrained, humus-rich soil. Shelter from winds. Tip The glossy red summer fruits make this a helpful shrub for birds, too. From www.burncoose.co.uk; tel: 01209 860316.

2 Lonicera purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’

Clusters of small, milky white flowers appear from midwinter until mid-spring, attracting bees with a strong, lemony scent and sugar-rich nectar. Needs moist but welldrained soil with plenty of organic matter, and a sunny spot.

Tip It fades into the background when leaves appear so plant at the back of a border.

From www.crocus.co.uk; tel: 01344 578111.

3 Chaenomeles ‘Crimson and Gold’

The red flowers are a boon for early pollinators with their open cup-shaped, nectar-rich blooms. The waxy petals stand up to the harshest early spring weather, and appear in March. The low-growing habit of this shrub makes it great for a woody ground cover. Grow in sun or dappled shade, in moist but free-draining soil.

Tip Aromatic golden fruits appear later in the year, which can be used in jams and jellies.

From www.thompson-morgan.com; tel: 0844 573 1818.

4 Salix caprea ‘Kilmarnock’

Don’t discount the usefulness of pollen for bees – the fluffy catkins of pussy willow are an invaluable source of protein for those on the wing from March to May. Needs full sun but is otherwise unfussy.

Tip The catkin-smothered stems are ideal for flower arranging.

From www.jacksonsnurseries.co.uk; tel: 01782 502741.

5 Prunus spinosa

Blackthorn is easy to spot in hedgerows for its white blossom on bare black stems very early in spring. Grow one in your garden to attract early bees such as the hairy-footed flower bee, a solitary bee that’s one of the earliest to emerge. The purple fruits that follow are the key ingredient in sloe gin. Easy to grow and tolerant of most soils and any position.

Tip The thorns make this a useful hedging plant to grow for extra security.

From www.hedgesdirect.co.uk; tel: 01257 263873.