Planting for insects

[littlepooley]

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

[zazen999]

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.

[Tam]

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.

[littlepooley]

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!!!

[zazen999]

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].

[Tam]

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

[littlepooley]

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