Frequently Asked Questions: Pollinator Trail

To celebrate and support local pollinators, create connected habitats, and encourage community growing in Dawlish. It’s also a fun way to bring people together and showcase creativity in our town.

Please find more at: Why pollinators Matter 

Yes. When you sign up to join the trail, you are entered into the competition.

Categories include:

• Best Pollinator Patch (large garden)

• Best Pollinator Patch (small space/balcony - including hanging baskets, window boxes and other compact displays)

• Best Community Garden

• Most Creative Pollinator Feature

• Children’s / Youth Groups / School Entries

Judges will visit the displays during May and the winners will be announced at the Turn the Tide Festival on 23 May 2026.

You can join participate in the trail without being part of the competition, please select this option on the application form. 

Yes - it’s free to join the trail and competition.

No. We do not publish personal names or full addresses.

The trail map will show the display location so that visitors can find it, and you can optionally provide a house name, group name or other display name.

Any planting or feature that helps support pollinators, such as:

• nectar-rich flowers and herbs

• mini meadows or wildflower patches

• bug hotels or nesting features

• water sources (e.g. shallow dishes or birdbaths)

• pollinator-themed creative displays

Pollinators aren’t fussy - anything that offers nectar or pollen is helpful - but the best displays mix different shapes and flowering times so there’s food throughout spring and early summer.

Easy annuals that are coast tolerant:

Calendula, Cornflower, Iberis (Candytuft), Sweet alyssum, Nemophila (Baby Blue Eyes), Nasturtium

Perennials (come back every year):

Sea thrift (Armeria), Nepeta (Catmint), Geranium (Cranesbill), Erigeron (Mexican fleabane), Erysimum (‘Bowles’s Mauve’), Dianthus (pinks)

Wildflower favourites:

Oxeye daisy, Birdsfoot trefoil, Field scabious, Red campion, Sea campion, Forget-me-not, Self-heal

Climbers & shrubs:

Honeysuckle, Ceanothus, Cotoneaster, Escallonia, Hebe, Clematis montana

Herbs (pollinators LOVE herbs):

Chives, Thyme, Sage, Marjoram, Oregano

If in doubt, choose plants labelled as nectar-rich, wildflower mix or pollinator friendly. Avoid highly double or heavily petalled flowers as insects can’t reach the nectar.

That’s fine - different pollinator plants flower at different times. Judges will also look at planting intention, creativity, pollinator features and habitat support (not just blooms).

No, you do not need a garden to take part. Any pollinator-friendly planting or feature counts. A single pot, hanging basket or window box can be enough, and balconies, doorstep pots, fence planters and community plots are all welcome. If you don’t have a green thumb, you can still join the trail by displaying a pollinator feature - for example a bug hotel, mini habitat or pollinator-themed display - somewhere visible from the street.

If you would like your garden to be featured as a stop on the trail, it needs to be accessible for members of the public to view during the trail period. This may be through a visible front space (e.g. viewable from the street or footpath), or by choosing to open your garden at designated times which are clearly signposted at the entrance so visitors know when they can come in. 

Yes. Because this is an open trail, entries need to be viewable during May so that the community can enjoy them and judges can assess them.

If you are entering a garden, it should either be viewable from the street or footpath, or you should be happy to open your garden at set times during the trail. Opening times should be clearly signposted at the entrance so visitors know when they can and cannot come in. 

If you are entering pots, baskets or other small displays, we ask that these are placed somewhere they can be seen from the street during the trail period. You can bring them indoors at night for safety.

We do not expect schools to open their grounds for safeguarding reasons. If displays can be positioned near a fence or boundary where they can be viewed, that is ideal. Otherwise, we simply ask that you are happy for judges to arrange a time to visit during school hours.

Yes. Entries need to be within the Dawlish area so they can be included on the trail map.

Yes, everyone in Dawlish can take part. Schools, nurseries, Scouts/Guides, community groups, allotments and local businesses are encouraged to join.

Yes, we welcome volunteers for trail mapping, event support and our spring launch event. If you’d like to help, please contact turnthetideteignbridge@gmail.com

Yes - prize sponsorship from individuals, groups and local businesses are always welcome. To discuss sponsorship, please contact turnthetideteignbridge@gmail.com.

Please complete the application form here: https://forms.gle/LMDdqaoy5gK17yoe9 
Entries need to be in by 31 March 2026.

The trail runs throughout May 2026 and winners are announced on 23 May 2026 at the Turn the Tide festival.