Plant crocus bulbs now to boost bumblebees next spring, say the RHS

Gardeners are being urged to plant up crocus bulbs this autumn to boost bumblebee sightings next spring, following the results of a nationwide initiative by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

As part of the Bumbles on Blooms project (which ran between February and May this year), the public were invited to observe and record bumblebee sightings on flowers in gardens and parks across the UK – and crocuses have topped the list as the plant most visited by bumblebees in spring, which is a critical time in the year as they establish their colonies.

The results

From over a thousand records by the public, at least 10 species of bumblebees and almost 350 different plants were identified. But the results indicate that of all the colours, white-petalled flowers receive more visits than any other from these vital pollinators, closely followed by purple and pink.

'Bumblebees are a vital part of our ecosystem,' begins Helen Bostock, RHS senior wildlife specialist. 'Faced with large-scale changes to the countryside, flowers in gardens and parks are an increasingly important source of pollen and nectar for these precious pollinators. The prolonged, wet spring this year made it especially challenging for bumblebees to establish their colonies, so this project has been very timely.'

What plants reign supreme?

The top five plants are popular with gardeners and offer reliable flowering from early to late spring:

1. Crocus

2. Chives

3. Comfrey

4. Dandelions

5. Heather

Crocuses and chives can thrive in pots, perfect for small gardens. They also work well alongside vegetable beds. Meanwhile, comfrey and dandelions work well in wildflower gardens and informal lawns. Heather is a low-growing, colourful evergreen shrub that is great for providing ground cover in sunny spots but also works brilliantly in containers.

Early autumn is the perfect time to plant shrubs, perennials and spring bulbs, while the ground is moist and temperatures are still mild. For best results, the RHS recommends planting in groups in sunny, sheltered parts of the garden to create bee-friendly patches, ensuring there are flowers available throughout the season to support the bumblebees' ongoing foraging needs.

Interestingly though, at least 100 of the reported plants are not currently on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, suggesting bumblebees may rely on many more plants than previously thought.

As a result, the RHS has identified five additional plants that are 'showing promise'. These are:

1. Daffodil

2. Snakeshead fritillary

3. Camassia

4. Grevillea rosmarinifolia

5. Pittosporum tenuifolium

'Spring is a key time for bumblebees – it’s when queens are under maximum stress, foraging on their own as they establish their nests,' says Dr Richard Comont, science manager at Bumblebee Conservation Trust. 'It’s fantastic to see so many people sent in sightings to the survey, and the information it has provided will be a huge boost to the survival of these iconic species.'

Follow House Beautiful on TikTok and Instagram.

You Might Also Like

• 7 hallway mirrors to create the illusion of space

• 13 bedroom wallpaper ideas to transform plain walls

• 12 garden furniture sets perfect for outdoor entertaining