Bee-friendly spring pot display

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Thursday, 18 July 2019 at 10:48 am

Find out how to provide for bees in spring, by planting up a container of bee-friendly plants.

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Most queen bumblebees hibernate in autumn, building up fat reserves to survive winter without food. In spring, they are hungry, urgently needing life-giving nectar. To help them along, pot up some early-flowering plants to help them replace lost energy before they fly off in search of a nesting site.

You Will Need

Hellebore plants (2)
Primrose plants (2)
Grape hyacinth bulbs (10)
Snake's head fritillary bulbs (10)
Crocus corms (10)
30cm terracotta pot
Multi-purpose, peat-free compost

Total time: 30 minutes

Step 1

Add crocks to the base of the pot, then fill two-thirds with compost. Place the hellebores and primroses in position.

Step 2

Fill compost in around the plants' roots, up to the rim of the pot, and firm gently. Plant the bulbs and corms in the gaps.

Step 3

Water plants thoroughly and allow to drain. Move the pot to a sunny, sheltered position, to encourage early flowering.

Kevin Smith says...
These plants will all thrive in the garden once the container display is past its best. They’re unfussy characters and will do well in most positions, although try them under a tree to create a woodland feel.