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  • Planting for insects

    Hi all, I was just wondering what plants you had that seemed to attract a lot of insects? I've only moved into my first house this year, and the garden only had a couple of shrubs so at the moment its mostly just bedding plants nothing permanent. I have a butterfly bush, and lavenders that seemed to have attracted a few bugs, but haven't seen that many bees or butterflies to be honest all we seem to get is slugs and spiders!

    Any suggestions would be welcome!

    laura
    ~+~ Eagerly awaiting my first allotment ~+~

  • #2
    I plant borage, flax, poppies, cosmos, nigella and various annuals as we find them. You could do worse than buy a packet of wildflower seed and sow that out either now or early spring. The above self seed, so if you know what the seedlings are like as they grow, you can leave them insitu to grow in and around your veg if you want them there.

    I have also got this year Cerinthe; which attracts the bees like nobdy's business. And Chives, the flower heads also attract bees into the garden. We've got loads of others but that's the OH's domain and he's just got back from the footie rather worse for wear and gone to bed, so I can't ask him. [Derby won a game!!! First time in a whole year].

    Just remembered that my marjoram also had the bees and insects buzzing around it all summer.

    But, if you want one that gets the most bees in, borage is it. Honestly, they love it. It grows big and fast though, so give it plenty of room!

    Littleover Apiaries make Borage honey [found it in tesco of all places before I stopped shopping there], so I'm guessing that it's a popular honey bee plant!

    P.S. Where in the county are you? We're in Shardlow.
    Last edited by zazen999; 13-09-2008, 11:18 PM.

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    • #3
      PLANT GUIDE - Plants to Attract Wildlife

      The following is a list of plants we particularly recommend for attracting wildlife to your garden. Some varieties will provide shelter, nesting sites and food for birds, and others are excellent for attracting bees and butterflies.

      TO ATTRACT BIRDS

      Alder, Common
      Ash
      Berberis Darwinii
      Berberis frikartii Telstar
      Berberis, Green
      Berberis, Purple
      Berberis Stenophylla
      Blackthorn
      Buckthorn, Sea
      Buddleja
      Cherry, Bird
      Hazel
      Holly
      Holly, Blue
      Lilac
      Lonicera pileata
      Mixed 'Native Hedging' Collection
      Mountain Ash
      Purple-leaved Bird Cherry
      Pyracantha, Golden Sun
      Pyracantha, Orange Glow
      Pyracantha, Red Column
      Snowberry
      Spindle
      Viburnum Fragrans
      Viburnum Tinus
      Yew

      TO ATTRACT BUTTERFLIES

      Buckthorn, Common
      Buddleja
      Lavender Hidcode
      Lavender, Old English
      Lavender, White
      Lilac
      Mixed 'Native Hedging' Collection
      TO ATTRACT BEES

      Berberis Darwinii
      Berberis frikartii Telstar
      Berberis, Green
      Berberis, Purple
      Berberis Stenophylla
      Buddleja
      Cotoneaster h. Robusta
      Cotoneaster simonsii
      Elaeagnus Ebbingei
      Escallonia C. F. Ball
      Escallonia Donard Seedling
      Gorse
      Lilac
      Lime, Broad-leaved
      Mixed 'Native Hedging' Collection
      Potentilla Fruiticosa
      Potentilla Gold Carpet
      Pyracantha, Golden Sun
      Pyracantha, Orange Glow
      Pyracantha, Red Column
      Robinia
      Snowberry
      Viburnum Fragrans
      Viburnum Tinus
      Willow, Goat

      I put this on a Notepad some time ago and sent it to some friends who found it useful.
      Last edited by Tam; 14-09-2008, 09:57 AM.

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      • #4
        Thanks, that't quite a list! Hopefully should be able to get some on them into the garden somewhere.

        I live in Swadlincote, moved here about 6 months ago as partner is from Repton, still getting to know the area though I don't have a good sense of direction which doesn't help!!!
        ~+~ Eagerly awaiting my first allotment ~+~

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        • #5
          Not far then!!! I know what you mean about the sense of direction - esp getting through the city centre. What's that all about??? How long does it take to renovate a whole city anyway???
          [I'm not from round 'ere either].

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          • #6
            If you want to plant a windbrake hedge you will find that cotoneaster grows very quiickly and you can have it any width you like, but the main reason for growing it is because the bees go crazy for it and then the berries are a magnet for the softbills - especially blackbirds. If you know anyone who grows it, I am sure you would find that they will be quite happy to let you have some seedlings. If you trim it properly you will soon have a very handsome hedge

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            • #7
              So far I have never driven into the city centre lol!!! Just about got the hang of burton, I think if I ventured into Derby I'd end up having an accident, that's if I didn't get lost first!

              Garden isn't quite big enough for a hedge, although it sounds like a nice idea. Managed to get partner to agree to build a raised bed next year for some veg, though being as he only eats peas he isn't as enthusiastic about it as I am lol
              ~+~ Eagerly awaiting my first allotment ~+~

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