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Post by andy on Jun 2, 2013 7:46:06 GMT
Im growing lots of stuff...mainly ornamentals, that attract all the pollinating insects (bees, butterflies, moths, hoverflies etc) Im just not sure if there's anything out there that really do attract the beasts which ive overlooked. Im growing most of the common stuff.....sedum spaectabalie, buddleia, agastache, monarda, poppies, heleniums, verbena bonairiensis, etc Also got some trifolium rubens and persicaria firetail...which the bees love. I have also sown a meadow mix of wild flowers as well as having some cornflowers and vipers bugloss to go in. So suggest away....i have room for herbaceous, shrubs, trees and annuals  |
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Post by Rosefriend on Jun 3, 2013 8:13:07 GMT
Im growing lots of stuff...mainly ornamentals, that attract all the pollinating insects (bees, butterflies, moths, hoverflies etc) Im just not sure if there's anything out there that really do attract the beasts which ive overlooked. Im growing most of the common stuff.....sedum spaectabalie, buddleia, agastache, monarda, poppies, heleniums, verbena bonairiensis, etc Also got some trifolium rubens and persicaria firetail...which the bees love. I have also sown a meadow mix of wild flowers as well as having some cornflowers and vipers bugloss to go in. So suggest away....i have room for herbaceous, shrubs, trees and annuals Here in Germany, or should I say our area they have "Bee" year - all plants to attract bees. Actually your choice is nearly the same - what they are doing here is to plant wild flower mixes all over...must admit they do attract sooo many bees. I saw two places last year and they were both covered with bees - the sound was incredible. I am really pleased as there is a marked lack of bees in our garden - hardly any - I wonder if we will even get many apples this year...suppose the cold/wet has a lot to do with it. RF |
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Post by Ladygardener on Jun 4, 2013 4:41:38 GMT
Don't forget Borage andy smashing flower and the bees love it. For later months, single Dahia keep them buzzing and of course Cosmos Nepetia and Lavender. The flowers on Thyme are always buzzing round here. |
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Post by Jilly on Jun 4, 2013 10:57:28 GMT
Along with all the things you're already growing & RF & LG have suggested, if you've got the space I would recommend Ivy that can be allowed to get big enough to flower. Because it flowers November time it really helps with late nectar, on a sunny day in November mine is smothered in bees & hover flies.
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Post by torontotrini on Jun 7, 2013 17:10:29 GMT
If you've got the room for them Andy, you could look to put in a couple of viburnums - careful to choose ones that produce berries; some are quite fragrant but don't produce berries. The birds come in for them (around here anyway). Serviceberry is also good for producing berries/attracting birds, but some varieties can get vey big; more like small trees, but they are great all-season shrubs - white blooms in the spring, berries in late summer/early fall, great fall colour. Elderberry is also good for berries that the birds go after, but they can also get fairly big so check them against your space. Choke cherry is also good for berries/birds and fall colour.
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Post by Chuckles on Jun 10, 2013 7:15:55 GMT
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Post by Chuckles on Aug 9, 2013 15:32:15 GMT
Did you put Inula on your list andy, Geranium was singing its praise the other week too  |
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Post by Geranium on Aug 10, 2013 5:37:45 GMT
I still am - it's a real bee and butterfly magnet. Not only that, but it looks fab in the garden. |
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