Shrub suggestions wanted

[pot shadley]

I have a small front garden which I was hoping to set up to attract bees, etc. I have a number of lavender plants but am missing a 'centre piece'.

Does anyone have an suggestions for a good wildlife attracting (bees butterfly's, etc) shrub that will get to about 3-4ft high?

[nickdub]

Ceanothus is the top favorite bee shrub in my garden - I've counted upwards of 40 bees simultaneously on mine on a hot day - there are a number of varieties with different colours, they are fairly slow growing and need a sunny spot with a well drained soil to do well - when small they can be killed by a hard winter but mine which is older has survived this year fine with temps down to -10 here.

Sometimes Morrisons have them on sale for about £2, which if I remember correctly is where I bought mine.

[Jungle Jane]

Is it a sunny patch? Ive got this flowering currant the bees love it’s early flowering,it’s also next to lavender. The ceanothus is in a shadier spot in the north facing border & flowers right after the flowering currant finishes flowering & keeps the bees happy for longer

[pot shadley]

Thanks for your replies ans yes it is a sunny spot. Will have to check out Morrison's for a ceanothus.

[mat]

I've got a white Hebe which flowers several times a year and is covered with bees. For a more GYO option, Chaenomeles japonica - again, the bees love it, and I use the fruits in jam. Only trouble with both of those is they do need a fair bit of pruning to keep them in bounds and in good shape. And the Chaenomeles is as thorny as ... um ... it's very thorny.