Artificial grass is often just one part of a garden. Whilst some people opt to completely cover their garden with the fake stuff, most choose to retain their existing flower beds and borders. This gives your garden a bit of variety and certainly makes your grass look more authentic.

It’s in these beds and borders that you can grow pollinators, which attract bees and butterflies into your garden. Pollinators tend to struggle to fertilize purely by the wind so insects really help to ensure this process. And insects like pollinators because they’re a source of food.

Pollinators to look out for

  • Lavender
  • Jasmine
  • Honeysuckle
  • Foxgloves
  • Geraniums
  • Sunflowers

If you’re specifically choosing pollinators to plant in your garden, it’s a good idea not to choose plants where it might be difficult for the insect to access the pollen. Double petal, or enclosed petal plants can be tricky to reach, or yield a false source of food. Daisy-like open petal plants are the easiest to reach, and so the easiest to pollinate!

Top tips

  • It’s recommended that you do not use pesticides when trying to grow your plants, as they can harm insects that you would not consider pests.
  • You can also buy bee boxes which are relatively cheap little houses for bees. They look like bird houses but they’re filled with small cylindrical holes. Be aware that you may end up with a bee hive though!
  • Look for the RHS bee logo ‘Perfect for Pollinators’. No-one knows more about plant life than the RHS! You can also check out their website for more advice.
  • If you’re a hard hayfever sufferer then think twice about planting pollinators, you might agitate your allergy!

It’s entirely possible to have the best of both worlds when it comes to your garden. Easily manageable, low maintenance surfaces like paving or fake grass can be offset with flowers and water features. At the end of the day, it’s your garden so make it how you want!