Post by petdesigns on May 27, 2009 15:58:45 GMT 1
As Al was asking in the "Al has the builders in" challenge re plants to attract insect, I've been reading on the RSPB website here:
www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/planting/planning.asp
and the following are quotes from that website as I thought it might be interesting to a lot of forum members:
and of course bramble,hawthorn, Ivy, ...
tree wise - apart from the rowan and elder Al already has, birches and holly are also recommended.
This pdf file (of course also from the RSPB!!!) give loads of information on which tree is useful for what exactly:
www.rspb.org.uk/Images/Trees_tcm9-162425.pdf
And the recommended flowers:
www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/planting/flowers/recommended.asp
plus a more indepth pdf-file:
www.rspb.org.uk/Images/Flowers_tcm9-162422.pdf
Well - have fun planning your all-new-gardens
www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/planting/planning.asp
and the following are quotes from that website as I thought it might be interesting to a lot of forum members:
When selecting flowering plants, try to choose single petalled varieties. Many modern hybrids with multiple layers of petals or blooms look pretty, but are often of lower nectar and pollen value, and less beneficial to insects.
Arable flowers, such as corn cockle, corn marigold, poppy and cornflower, provide an attractive splash of colour throughout the summer and are very easy to grow. They are pleasing to the eye, and attract many beneficial insects that come to nectar and feed on the pollen. Their seeds provide a source of food for birds and can be enhanced by the addition of a small amount of spring wheat or barley.
Arable flowers, such as corn cockle, corn marigold, poppy and cornflower, provide an attractive splash of colour throughout the summer and are very easy to grow. They are pleasing to the eye, and attract many beneficial insects that come to nectar and feed on the pollen. Their seeds provide a source of food for birds and can be enhanced by the addition of a small amount of spring wheat or barley.
Rosa spp
There is a bewildering number of different roses, but if you want to enjoy them for their wildlife benefit, as well as glorious summer flowers, choose old-fashioned varieties which are fragrant and disease-resistant.
Rosa rugosa is tough and hardy, and is one of the few wild roses that repeat flowers. It has single pink flowers with a golden-yellow centre, followed in autumn by bright red hips. It is very thorny and makes a good informal hedge. If you don't prune back your roses as soon as the petals fall, they will form rosehips.
Ornamental shrub roses are also useful addition to wildlife gardens. They can attract many species of insects.
Animals that benefit
The fruits are popular with birds
A wide range of insects will be attracted to the flowers including bees and butterflies
There is a bewildering number of different roses, but if you want to enjoy them for their wildlife benefit, as well as glorious summer flowers, choose old-fashioned varieties which are fragrant and disease-resistant.
Rosa rugosa is tough and hardy, and is one of the few wild roses that repeat flowers. It has single pink flowers with a golden-yellow centre, followed in autumn by bright red hips. It is very thorny and makes a good informal hedge. If you don't prune back your roses as soon as the petals fall, they will form rosehips.
Ornamental shrub roses are also useful addition to wildlife gardens. They can attract many species of insects.
Animals that benefit
The fruits are popular with birds
A wide range of insects will be attracted to the flowers including bees and butterflies
and of course bramble,hawthorn, Ivy, ...
tree wise - apart from the rowan and elder Al already has, birches and holly are also recommended.
This pdf file (of course also from the RSPB!!!) give loads of information on which tree is useful for what exactly:
www.rspb.org.uk/Images/Trees_tcm9-162425.pdf
And the recommended flowers:
www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/planting/flowers/recommended.asp
plus a more indepth pdf-file:
www.rspb.org.uk/Images/Flowers_tcm9-162422.pdf
Well - have fun planning your all-new-gardens