Planting for pollinators

Every Autumn we aim to plant as many pollinator friendly bulbs as we can and so far we’ve planted a grand total of 10,000! Many people around the village have helped us including the SC Guides, St Michael’s church, Springwater church, SC primary school and a couple of street teams. In addition to the bulbs that Eco SoCo has purchased, we’ve been very grateful to receive donated bulbs from Henley Rotary and SC Parish Council.

These bulbs will provide a vital energy boost to the very earliest emerging insects, and they are key in supporting the ecology and biodiversity of flora and fauna in our area. We also hope to provide colourful and inspirational spaces for the residents of Sonning Common.

In addition to the bulbs, we have planted a wide variety of pollinator shrubs at Abbeycrest and an array of Ox Eye Daisies, Primroses and, new this year, Wild Daffodils at the Abbeycrest and Chiltern Bank orchards. Many thanks to villagers Michelle Young and David Litchfield for their plant donations! We’re very grateful for your green fingers!

In the Autumn of 2025 we planted a pollinator friendly garden on the front approach to Abbeycrest. The plants were all donated by gardeners from the village. The new planting will not only provide much needed nectar for insects but we hope it will bring a touch of joy to the residents, staff and Abbeycrest. 

If you think that you could offer some help, either by way of a donation or by coming along to lend a hand on our planting days, or splitting Primroses or Hellebores from your garden to donate, please email ecosoco24@gmail.com