Top flowers for pollinators

Lonicera x purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’ AGm

A shrubby honeysuckle that flowers during mild spells from November to March. The citrusy fragrance is delicious, and bees love the delicate white flowers. Full sun or part shade in moist but well-drained soil. HxS: 61⁄2x8ft (2x2.5m).

Primula vulgaris AGm

A lot tougher than it looks; pollinatorpleasing pretty pale-yellow flowers with darker yellow centres can appear in December and will continue blooming until April. Plant under deciduous trees and shrubs. H&S: 8in (20cm).

Eranthis hyemalis AGm

One of the first plants to flower, the bright-yellow buttercup-like blooms appear in January and continue until March. Low-growing, it spreads slowly to form a wonderful carpet of colour. Plant under deciduous trees and shrubs. HxS: 3x2in (8x5cm).

Narcissus ‘February Gold’ AGm

A fabulous early flowering daffodil that has short stems and dainty goldenyellow flowers with swept-back petals. Looks good planted in drifts along the edge of borders, or in pots. Flowers: Feb-Mar. HxS: 10x4in (25x10cm).

Pulmonaria

Bees will appreciate the nectar-rich blooms of this perennial. Pink-flowered varieties (like ‘Rachel Vernie’, above) tend to flower in late February/March; blue ones in April. The mottled foliage works particularly well with spring bulbs. HxS: 14inx11⁄2ft (35x45cm).

Crocus ‘Prins Claus’

White goblet-shaped flowers with splashes of purple and striking-orange stamens emerge among clusters of thin, strappy leaves. Naturalise in short grass under deciduous trees, or plant in pots. Flowers: Feb-Mar. HxS: 3x2in (8x5cm).