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.