menu

Bee and butterfly charmers: our top five hidden gems

20 hypericum kalm. sunny boulevard deppe 11 proven winners

Back to overview

Bee and butterfly charmers: our top five hidden gems

Do you also enjoy the fluttering of butterflies and the cosy hum of bees in your garden? They are not only beautiful to see but also essential for biodiversity. To make your garden bee- and butterfly-friendly there are well-known shrubs like the butterfly bush, ivy and lavender. But there are also beautiful, lesser-known shrubs that attract many butterflies, bees and other insects. We introduce you to our five favourite, lesser-known gems.
 

Diervilla (Diervilla)

Diervilla is a gorgeous shrub that flowers abundantly in summer with small yellow flowers. The young shoots are pink, red or orange, depending on the variety. If you like colour in your garden, go for the variegated Diervilla Kodiak® Mixx, with its fantastic pink young shoots.
 

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum)

Do you love yellow flowers too? Then choose Hypericum Sunny Boulevard. This beautiful shrub will spoil you from July to September with hundreds of bright yellow flowers with strikingly long stamens. In autumn the red-brown berries appear, which also look great in a vase.
 

Chastetree (Vitex)

Vitex Blue Diddley is a compact  shrub that flowers in summer with beautiful lavender-blue flower panicles. They resemble the flowers of the butterfly bush. The flowers of Vitex spread a lovely fragrance. Also nice: the shrub can withstand heat and drought. 

 

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus)

For the romantics among us there is Hibiscus Sugar Tip. The large double flowers have a soft pink colour. Its prolonged flowering in late summer and autumn allows  butterflies and bees to find pollen and food for an extra-long time. Sugar Tip has soft green leaves with creamy white margins.
 

Weigela (Weigela)

When Weigela Colourtwist© Sunny Side Up is flowering you automatically become happy! In late spring masses of white flowers with a sunny yellow heart appear, contrasting beautifully with the apple-green leaves. A real eye-catcher that brightens up your garden!
 

Do not hesitate to go for one of these special shrubs, they will surprise you with their beautiful flowers and long flowering period. In any case, butterflies and bees will be delighted and will certainly find your garden!
 

Related blogs

valkplant 1 2026 23
Winter, Gardening tips
Winter garden magic: relax and enjoy!
Winter brings an enchanting calm to the garden. Plants slumber in hibernation and there is a serene atmosphere in the air. There are still a few small chores to do before the cold sets in but then a period of rest begins for the gardener too. So put aside the pruning shears, rakes and hoes because you won't need them for the time being. In fact, your plants benefit from being left alone for a while. Besides, the Proven Winners plants are all hardy, so there is no need to worry. Find out why 'doing nothing' in winter might be the best thing you can do for your garden.
Read more
punica gran. pompommy smnpgmf 9 proven winners
Inspiration
Create a special garden with special varieties
Would you like something different than the average garden plant? There are many ways to turn your garden into something extraordinary and planting a special variety is one of them. With unusual plants, you can create a unique atmosphere or appearance in your garden. These may be plants with remarkable leaves, a striking flower colour or an unusual inflorescence.
Read more
hydrangea serr. flair flavours blueberry cheesecake mak20 7 pw
Hydrangea, Summer
The ultimate summer guide for your hydrangea
It's the height of summer – the time when hydrangeas are at their most beautiful. With their exuberant flowers, long flowering period and versatility, it's no surprise that they are a favourite among gardening enthusiasts. But how do you keep them looking their best during the hot days? With these care tips, you can give your hydrangeas everything they need.
Read more
hydrangea paniculata quick fire fab smnhpm 9.1 proven winners
Hydrangea
Help, my hydrangea is getting really big!
Hydrangeas are beautiful flowering plants, but sometimes they grow faster than expected. Don't panic! With these tips, you can keep your favourite hydrangeas compact and give them the best spot in your garden.
Read more
valkplant showtuin 5
Inspiration, Winter, Gardening tips
The best time to make a garden plan
In February, the garden slowly awakens from its winter sleep. Carefully, the first buds appear on trees and shrubs. Meanwhile, it can still be quite cold, so you'd rather be indoors than outside. And that's fine, because there is not much to do in the garden yet. An ideal time to start planning for the new garden season next to the warm stove!
Read more
hibiscus sugar tip img 8189
Inspiration, Hydrangea, Pollinator friendly
The fun starts now: special varieties for the new garden season!
Winter is the ideal time to start thinking about new additions to your garden. Are you looking for something special? These special varieties certainly deserve a place on your wish list!
Read more