Bumblebees are one of the first signs of spring and are a welcome visitor to our gardens as they bustle about the borders. They may be cute with their fuzzy, striped bodies, but they are also key pollinators of crops and wildflowers, and are a vital part of our natural environment.
Unfortunately, bumblebee numbers are declining at an alarming rate. We can support our native bees by planting flowers in our borders that help foraging workers during the winter and get the queens off to a great start in the spring.
Bumblebees are some of the earliest pollinators to emerge, flying at low temperatures when many other insects don’t. Most bumblebees will find food wherever they can so, although native flowers are always best, you don’t need to plant anything specific. However, in early spring there are few things that flower and can provide welcome pollen for these early-flying visitors so try to plant the following.

Hellebore

Hellebores provide a welcome splash of colour in late winter as well as a plentiful food source for early-emerging bumblebees. The large flowers are held on sturdy stems, which provide great support for visiting bees, while the open cup of the blooms gives easy access to the pollen. The queen buff-tailed
bumblebees are often found on hellebore flowers as early as February.
Plant hellebores in rich, well-drained soil that doesn’t dry out too much. Feed the plants with a general fertiliser, such as Growmore, in spring. Read more about how to care for hellebores.

Type of plant: Herbaceous perennial
Position: Partial shade
Soil: Rich and free-draining
Height x spread: 40 x 50cm

Caption: Hellebores can be grown in pots or borders

Hyacinth
Many of us grow hyacinths indoors for Christmas displays, but they can look great in your border, too. They will also provide a needed treat for bumblebees. As well as offering nectar, the strong stems and closely clustered florets provide even the largest bumblebees a safe place to sleep or shelter from inclement weather.

Plant hyacinth bulbs in your border in early September, making sure they’re a minimum of 10cm deep and at least 8cm apart. After flowering, remove the dead flower stems, but leave the foliage to die back naturally.
Type of plant: Spring-flowering bulb
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Soil: Well-drained and fertile
Height x spread: 30 x 35cm

Caption: Hyacinths, such as 'Woodstock', provide shelter and food for bees

Primrose
Wild primroses add natural beauty to gardens in spring and early bumblebees love them. The fragile petals don’t support the large buff-tailed bumblebee queens, but worker bees, early bumblebees and hairy-footed flower bees will eagerly seek out the nectar-filled centres.
Primroses need neutral to acidic soil with plenty of organic matter. In the Which? Gardening magazine trial of primroses, we found that single-flowered types attract more bees than showy doubles. Plant in
September, when conditions are cool, the soil is still warm and the plant is actively growing.
Type of plant: Herbaceous perennial
Position: Partial shade
Soil: Fertile and moist
Height x spread: 10 x 15cm

Caption: Single-flowered primroses attract more bees than double ones

Pulmonaria

Pulmonaria often flowers in late winter and keeps going well into spring. The pink and purple bells are especially attractive to smaller bees, including the hairy-footed flower bees, which can be seen from early March.
Plant them under shrubs in the autumn to provide ground cover. The white-spotted leaves are attractive and work well at the front of a border. Propagate by dividing the clumps in autumn or after flowering.
Type of plant: Herbaceous perennial
Position: Shade
Soil: Moist and fertile soil
Height x spread: 15 x 30cm

Caption: Pulmonaria are especially attractive to smaller bees