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I plant my garden with bees/insects in mind. Last year I grew Cerinthe Blue Kiwi for the first time, it had a long flowering period and was covered in bees, I’m definitely growing it again this year. I’ve also got a few Enchiums growing in pots ready to plant out next spring. I spotted these growing on the coast and each flower spike had 200+ bees on it.
I also grow Echinops, Lavender, Centaurea, Nepeta (Catmint), Salvia (perennial sage) and Sedum, I grow Buddleia for the butterflies.
Are there any flowers other people grow which is great for bees/insects?
Build it and they will come.
Squirrel B said: WF, do you dig yours up to overwinter or leave them in the ground? I'd love dahlias but due to the arthritis I can't be doing with things that have to be dug up every autumn then replanted the following year.
WF, do you dig yours up to overwinter or leave them in the ground? I'd love dahlias but due to the arthritis I can't be doing with things that have to be dug up every autumn then replanted the following year.
They get left in the ground all winter and they always survive. We got down to -11 last winter. The slugs do like the new growth but they manage to grow in the end. If you fancy giving some a go I’ll dig some up when they have died down and send them to you.
The foliage is almost black and the flowers are scarlet (they look a bit orange in the photo).
Thank you WF, that's really kind of you and it would be fantastic - but only as long as it doesn't deprive you of them. They look a gorgeous colour, very striking against the dark foliage.
Squirrel
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Wow! Beautiful display of dahlias - and yes, aren't the single-flowered varieties great for bees. I get the feeling I'd like your garden! Is that one of the Bishop of Llandaff or Bishop's Children series of dahlias?
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
It's Bishop of Llandaff, I'm impressed with you knowledge of flowers, I had to rummage around for the label before I could answer you.
Next time you're in Devon you'll have to pop in.