Attracting ladybirds

[shellyanne1987]

I'd like to attract ladybirds to my garden to combat aphids that have started appearing :/ any tips for ladybird house or what flowers/plants will attract them would be greatly appreciated


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[alldigging]

Nettles. Because they're one of the first plants to provide food for ladybirds.

[Bill HH]

Lots of green fly.

[Shadylane]

I hardly ever see them on flowers, they're generally on the soil or under some mulch. Having said that, back in the day I remember having zero ladybirds and lots of greenfly so started planting a few flowers in our garden (which was mainly grasses and climbers) - stuff like calendula, herbs, foxgloves, nothing dramatic and not loads either and the ladybird population increased. I don't know if it was a coincidence, but I believe that if you aim for a natural and diverse habitat then you should attract predators.

[Greenleaves]

In addition to Bills advice pollen rich plants are best, dill, caraway, angelica etc