What do insects like?
In most gardens the earliest bulb is the snowdrop, a welcome sight after a cold, dark winter. Galanthus nivalis is visited for its pollen by bumblebees and early honeybees as they come out of hibernation after the winter. Another early flowering spring bulb is Eranthis, the winter aconite with a bright yellow flower cup, which follows snowdrops. Insects love it as the bowl shaped flower means that the stamens are easily accessible and the pollen available. It bridges the short gap between first snowdrops and the earliest crocuses which are the next bulbs to spring into life in most gardens. Both snowdrops and winter aconites are thought to be best planted ‘in the green’; this means when flowering is over but they are still in leaf. You can easily divide snowdrops at this time too, to spread these bulbs a bit further.
The earliest daffodils begin to flower in March. Instead of the bright bold varieties, try the native and more subtle Narcissus pseudonarcissus, which still survives in the wild in some places. It has valuable pollen for early bees.