Plants for wildlife

[andy]

Among the many plants that attract various creatures, i'd like to sing the praises of Verbena Bonariensis.

Despite growing to almost 6', it flowers most of the summer through to autumn and attracts an army of insects.

This year i've seen many species of butterfly, lots of bees and hoverflies, hummingbird hawk moths and many other beasties.

Here's a pic

Please feel free to add your own "wildlife plant"

[Deleted]

I've just bought one of those on the GC sale for 50p, it's at ground level at the moment. Wow, that's something to look foward to!
Nice pic too.

[4pygmies]

Verbena b's are fantastic, arent they? I have them self seeded all my patio. Can't sit there but it's ever so pretty!
My nomination is for Oregano vulgare (wild Marjoram). I have loads of it all over the place and it has been loaded with bees all summer. And it smells gorgeous too.

[Plocket]

I adore VBs and can't get enough of them! Another of my plants which is positively humming with bees in early autumn, is Clematis Tangutica. And I love watching the bees clambering into the "bells" - they are so cute! Lavender and rosemary are also very popular for bees and butterflies, and I find that fennel is great for attracting hover flies.

[Deleted]

I've had amazing success with the various Buddleia's along with Hemp Agrimony, loved by the Painted Lady butterfly, Golden Leaved Marjoram, loved by the Gatekeeper butterfly, Various Scabious plants, not only beautiful flowers that come in some gorgeous colours, but a magnet for Bees, Butterflies and Moths. I've noticed that the Tortoishell butterfly will land on a flower that is similar in colour so have seen a lot of action on the red Cosmos, with the Tort staying around for some time in the garden feeding and basking.
I can't sing the praises enough of all the Verbena species from the big blousey varieties that you see in hanging baskets and containers to the perennial Verbena's, Borariensis, Rigida, they have been wonderful at attracting the Hummingbird Hawk Moth to the garden.
It's been a fab year in the garden since I converted it to wildflowers and plants rich in nectar, brings a whole new dimension to my gardening, and if I ever get the time to work out how to post pics on here I will.