8 summer bloomers for a nectar paradise full of butterflies and bees Fancy a garden full of colour and life? Then choose summer flowers that are not only beautiful to look at, but also attract bees, bumblebees and butterflies. With the right shrubs, you can create a garden buzzing with activity. These 8 Proven Winners® varieties are not only richly flowering, but also true nectar and pollen magnets.
1. Buddleja Chip series
These mini butterfly bushes are richly flowering and irresistible to butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects. And: they even fit on your balcony. You can find them in various colours, including blue (Blue Chip), lilac (Lilac Chip), pink (Pink Micro Chip®), red-pink (Ruby Chip) and white (White Chip®).
2. Buddleja Miss Series
This butterfly bush, with large flower panicles and sturdy stems, will instantly bring summer into your garden. The Miss varieties bloom for a long time and attract masses of butterflies and bees. They grow about 150 cm high and are available in white (Miss Pearl), ruby red (Miss Ruby) and purple (Miss Violet).
3. Caryopteris
This late bloomer is perfect for late summer nectar. The deep blue flowers and dark green leaves of Beyond Midnight® remain beautiful into autumn. For more contrast, choose Sunny Blue®, with striking yellow-green leaves and blue flowers.
4. Diervilla Kodiak® series
Another favourite not to be missed in your garden. Diervilla is hardy, drought-tolerant and valuable to insects. The yellow flowers attract plenty of bees, while the colourful leaves decorate until autumn. Choose from Kodiak® Mixx, Red, Black or Orange.
5. Vitex Blue Diddley
With its blue-purple flowers and Mediterranean look, this compact shrub is a standout - and a bee favourite. Moreover, it copes well with heat and drought.
6. Spiraea Double Play® Doozie
This special Spiraea keeps producing new flowers, making it bloom non-stop from late spring until autumn. Bees love the numerous deep red-pink flowers. The leaves gradually turn from dark red to dark green.
7. Cephalanthus Sugar Shack
The spherical, white flowers of this ballflower are full of nectar and irresistible to butterflies and bees. Eye-catching red fruits appear in autumn. Bonus: it smells delicious!
8. Hypericum Sunny Boulevard
With its profusion of bright yellow flowers, Sunny Boulevard® is a valuable nectar source in the summer months. This compact, highly branching shrub attracts plenty of bees and remains attractive throughout the season thanks to its healthy foliage and even growth. Ideal for borders, bedding or in pots on patios or balconies.
With these 8 summer bloomers, you can turn your garden into a living paradise where bees and butterflies feel at home. And what about you? You will enjoy all this beauty.