Camassia

Camassia (especially C. leichtlinii and C. quamash) is a powerhouse for early-season pollinators. Its starry blue blooms provide rich nectar for long-tongued bumblebees like Bombus hortorum (garden bumblebee) and solitary bees such as Osmia bicornis (red mason bee). The plant’s upright stems also attract pollen-collecting hoverflies like Rhingia campestris. Planted in damp meadows or sunny borders, Camassia bridges the 'hungry gap' between April and May when few native flowers bloom. Unlike hybrid tulips, its pollen is highly accessible, making it a vital resource for bees emerging from hibernation in UK gardens.