Native plants, like Monkshood, Broom and Catmint, will attract more than a fair share of ‘garden friendly’ insects, including ladybirds, lacewings and moths.
There is nothing better to brighten your borders than the sight of beautiful butterflies floating among your garden flowers. Butterfly magnets include Echinacea, lavender, sedums, Michaelmas daisies, sage, lilac and of course, buddleja, which is known as the ‘butterfly bush’.
Unfortunately over the past century, nearly 70 per cent of ponds have been lost from the UK countryside, meaning garden ponds have an increased importance. A well-planted pond will attract and support a wide range of aquatic wildlife and the margins will also provide food and shelter for frogs and other creatures, including birds, butterflies and dragonflies.
Bumblebees are in rapid decline, so to prevent further losses avoid using pesticides in your garden. To encourage them useful honey bees to visit, plant both nourishing pollen and sugar-loaded nectar-rich flowers, such as lavender, campanulas and coneflowers.
