Once in a while I come across a plant that stuns me with its power to attract pollinating insects, and yesterday I found just such a marvel.
It was this one (below), which has burst into flower in the last week in my new garden - and very happy about it I am too!
It's a Deutzia, named after a 17th century Dutchman, a group of plants mostly from China and South East Asia. My assumption is that it is Deutzia 'Strawberry Fields', one of the single-flowered, pink, compact cultivars that is readily available.
You can see one of the bumblebees in action, and in a quick count I had 28 at one time, even though I could only see half of the bush.
It is a woody shrub, growing to about 2 metres tall with multi-stems, and does well on most soils in a sheltered, sunny spot. Pruning out a third of the old wood to the base each winter will keep it fresh and tidy.
As always, if you've found a wildlife-friendly plant, let us all know - the more that gardens are filed with them, then more nature that will have their 'home needs' fulfilled.
If you want to drop by my RSPB wildlife gardening blog, it is updated every Friday, and I'd love to see you there - www.rspb.org.uk/community/blogs/hfw
Adrian: I have no idea what kind of climbing hydrangea it is, but it is huge and very pretty!
You get waxwings in June?
Last month bees loved the tiny flowers of cotoneaster horizontalus and the lonicera shrub with maroon tips on new growth. Looking forward to the shaggy yellow orange flowers of ligularia desdemona as the bees went bonkers for them last summer. Unfortunately slugs think the leaves are great too.
Hi Peter. Indeed I had reports of Waxwings plus Fieldfares and Redwings from Sorbus Joseph Rock last winter. Good to know it keeps the wildlife happy at the opposite end of the year too.
Great to hear about your climbing Hydrangea, Rob - I assume it is Hydrangea petiolaris, and I presume you have it in a sunny spot?