Choose mat-forming and trailing plants for rockeries and other well-drained places, and taller plants for flower borders.

The following plants all provide nectar, or pollen, or both, to attract butterflies, hoverflies and bees.

Perennials for early flowers (January/February):

• Christmas rose (Helleborus niger),
• Elephant’s ears (Bergenia)
• Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis),
• Polyanthus (Polyanthus),

Perennials for spring flowers:

• Arabis (Arabis) - mat-forming white-flowered (choose single flowering types).
• Aubretia (Aubretia) - trailing red/purple-flowered flowers.
• Alyssum (Alyssum) - brassy yellow flowers brighten the garden.
• Leopard's bane (Dorinicum) - produces an early yellow flower.
• Perennial cornflower (Centaurea dealbata) - pink.

Perennials for mid-summer flowers:

• Thyme (Thymus) - mat-forming
• Marjoram (Oreganum) - low-growing.
• Shasta daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum) - white flowers. Stake these tall plants to support their flowers stems.
• Oriental poppy (Papaver)
• Hollyhock (Althaea) - choose single flowers.
• Golden rod (Solidago) - choose a well-behaved compact type, not the old-fashioned tall spreading type
• Perennial phlox (Phlox)
• Globe thistle (Echinops) - no need for staking.
• Scabious (Echinops) - doesn't need staking.

Autumn-flowering perennials:

• Michaelmas daisies (Aster)
• Ice plant (Sedum spectabile) - avoid named types such as Autumn Joy, which aren't so attractive to butterflies.