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Posted by munchkin (U14997670) on Thursday, 23rd February 2012
Hi,
Now the nights are finally getting lighter, my mind is drawn to my garden. After watching the Bees, butterflies & blooms programme last night, I wondered if there were any plants in particular that would be happy in my garden pots to attract these delightful insects. I usually plant red geraniums which stand out although would like something similar but will attract the wildlife.
I would be most grateful for any suggestions.
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I had 2 single dahlas last year, 'Romeo' and 'Juliet' they would work well in pots.
Link to this forum: Pot Plants to attract bees, butterflies & insects
Lavender do very well in pots, and the bees adore them. If you go to a good garden centre you can get varieties that have silver leaves that look great even when it is not in flower. Prune it hard after flowering, and within six weeks it will have produced new silver foliage that will last through the winter.
I have a silver variety called Sawyers. It is just a tad less hardy than other English lavenders, so move the pot to a sheltered spot outside for the winter. I have taken cuttings (so easy) and have several growing in open ground on a south facing wall and they have survived the last two winters, but in a pot it might need a bit more winter care.
Link to this forum: Pot Plants to attract bees, butterflies & insects
Many thanks for your suggestions, bring on spring cant wait to get out in the garden, getting itchy fingers!!!
Planning to keep a couple of chickens which is very eggciting.
Link to this forum: Pot Plants to attract bees, butterflies & insects
Many thanks for your suggestions, getting itchy fingers now cant wait for spring
Link to this forum: Pot Plants to attract bees, butterflies & insects
Just remember when plant hunting, most plants that produce double flowers are of little use. Some are bred without male and female parts, while others have so many petals bees can't get to the nectar and pollen to collect it. This is the main reason why single dahlias are popular with many bees, while doubles are usually ignored.
Link to this forum: Pot Plants to attract bees, butterflies & insects
How about Heucheras. They flower for ages over the summer and the bees adore them.
In the same family are tiarellas and one in particular that is called 'Spring Symphony' has a gorgeous scent as well.
Sue
Link to this forum: Pot Plants to attract bees, butterflies & insects
Herbs will be happy even in quite small pots and attractive to bees. Lavendar already been mentioned, but sage, mint, rosemary and especially oregano (marjoram) flowers are really good.
Depending on your space and how big your pots are you could try some sedum for late season nectar, or raspberries, or sunflowers, marigolds, you can even grow some varieties of budllia in pots (well, I think you can grow nearly anything in a pot). Nothing wrong with experimenting a bit.
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, in reply to message 1.
Posted by muddy_boots (U14019512) on Saturday, 25th February 2012
Hi,
If you like the colour red then you could also sow some Scarlet Flax (Linum grandiflorum Rubrum) which is a lovely red annual. They are super easy to grow from seed, have a satin sheen to the petals and always attract plenty of insects.
I also grow Cosmos, although they would need quite large pots as they can reach 3 - 4 ft but they do attract plenty of butterflies.
If you want something more permanent I agree that Lavender and herbs are a great choice. You could always sow some Cornflowers and Poppies around the edge of the pots each year if you have the space.
I have a big terracotta pot with a clump of Fennel which the hoverflies love. Plus it smells like aniseed, has a lovely feathery texture, keeps whitefly at bay and the young stems add a nice flavour and crunch to salads.
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, in reply to message 1.
Posted by ParsnipPumpkin22 (U14994729) on Saturday, 25th February 2012
Hello. I planted Scabious last year blue butterfly they were lilac in colour, they flowered constantly and the bees and insects were all over them. The last one only died when we had the snow.. They just didn't stop flowering and the lilac looked great with red.. Borage is good too but they may need some support in windy areas. Enjoy and I hope this helps..
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Many thanks for all your suggestions, my mind is racing with ideas now. Out in the garden today and cleared a messy patch and made friends with a robin, how cute!!!
Link to this forum: Pot Plants to attract bees, butterflies & insects
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