Finding suitable natural flora for your wildlife garden

[nightshade]

I have some michaelmass daisies going great guns in my garden at the moment
along with a Verbena Borensis(?) but am trying to figure out some really good early nectar plants snapdragons wallflowers?

[nightshade]

Picton nurseries(Malvern)have some of the very old asters which are more resistant to mildew and Golden Rod.Although I do find that a good mulch of bark or slate stops the splashing when watering which seems to cause the problem
Previously mentioned plantings are;winter heathers,dead nettle,ground ivy,flowering currant
Goat willow(sallow) dandelion,winterflowering jasmine and hebe all are early flowerers

[Paul mabbott]

Yes, some asters are good - others not: a few weeks ago I saw a miniature one with really quite small flowers which had masses of flying insects on it.
As for early flowers, don't forget hellebores (Helleborus orientalis, H. niger and H. argutifolius) nectar sources in winter and early spring. They also have aphids so are a useful provider for early-rising ladybirds!

Originally Posted by nightshade

I have some michaelmass daisies going great guns in my garden at the moment
along with a Verbena Borensis(?) but am trying to figure out some really good early nectar plants snapdragons wallflowers?

[aeshna5]

My Hebe " Midsummer Beauty" has plenty of flowers at the moment + is ggod for many insects including Honey + Bumble Bees.

[Susie]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

I've been looking at the bumble bes active in the garden and realised that the only thing they have to feed on is nasturtium - which is a very useful plant for all sorts of insects *but* there must be other plants that would flower at this time of year? I can only think of chrysanthemums (which I've never had any luck in establishing). Any other ideas?

Here some flowers have continued to bloom right through the summer until now and others were cut back after their first flowering and are giving a second showing. Still in bloom at the moment is budleia, vebena bonensis, snap dragons, tobacco plants, mallow, nasturtiums, old mans beard, roses, bacopa and a particular favourite of the bees, ice plant. I am sure there is more but it is dark outside and I can't remember them all.

For the springtime bees I have christmas roses and I am hoping to have some sweetbox plants (I have a couple of tiny cuttings that survived).

[Paul mabbott]

Your avatar is looking particularly glamorous this evening, Susie - but not showing all your wonders, I'll bet!
We've drifted rather off the 'natural flora' (presumably native plants) of the heading, I notice, belatedly. But what the heck. I've noticed in the south of England recently the late/double flowering of Buddleja - can't remember seeing that before - but it is a southern thing. Roses, of all sorts are always a good bet and in most parts of the country flowering (sort of) throughout the year - I have one coming into bud but, more importantly, also getting a new generation of greenfly so something to feed the ladybirds ....
Less said about old mens beards the better - but do they actually have much wildlife on them?
So, what's happening up in the real north of the land?
Paul

Originally Posted by Susie

Here some flowers have continued to bloom right through the summer until now and others were cut back after their first flowering and are giving a second showing. Still in bloom at the moment is budleia, vebena bonensis, snap dragons, tobacco plants, mallow, nasturtiums, old mans beard, roses, bacopa and a particular favourite of the bees, ice plant. I am sure there is more but it is dark outside and I can't remember them all.

For the springtime bees I have christmas roses and I am hoping to have some sweetbox plants (I have a couple of tiny cuttings that survived).

[Susie]

It's always best to leave a bit to the imagination, Paul. I'll change it for something a bit nicer soon.

Oh yes, "natural flora", I missed that bit. lol. I take it "natural" doesn't mean not plastic or silk flowers then?

The old mans beard is the most FANTASTIC clematis. My one flowers at least twice a year and when it does it is smothered in bees and other insects. I wouldn't be without it.

So, umm, don't think I've got much "natural" stuff flowering at the moment - apart from ivy. That has been covered in all manner of flying things.

[minime]

Thanks for the link, I have a gardener pal who will devour this info