As soon as flowers develop in flowerbeds, little winged guests appear in the garden.Dozens of buzzing bees and bumblebees swarm around the inflorescences of lavender, sage, spikelets and budlei to gather as much food as possible. It is a beautiful spectacle for garden owners and nature lovers, especially when the day is warm and sunny.
Spring is the best time to prepare a discount to function as a summer canteen for insects. It is in summer that bees, butterflies and other insects intensively search for a varied and plentiful source of energy in the garden. As soon as the fruit trees, crocuses, violets and dandelions fade, there is a longer break in flowering of plants and insects eating pollen and nectar hardly find the plants they need.
In recent years, the situation has been worsened by agriculture, focused on monotonous single-species crops on large areas, as well as the depletion of plants grown in gardens every year.The consequence is a reduction in the number of insects pollinating flowers.
A few years ago, the renowned Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the Royal Horticultural Society, announced the results of research on pollinating insects. The "Plants for Insects" project lasted four years. Onion flowers, perennials, shrubs, climbers, grasses and ferns from the northern and southern hemisphere were tested and planted in various beds.It turned out that plants from the southern hemisphere are a valuable source of food for insects in the summer months.
They bloom later than the Northern species and fill the void of flowerless periods during the summer when native species are already setting seeds.The more varied the floral representation in flower beds, the more bumblebees and bees visit the garden.Among the exotic plants useful for insects are, among others garden fuchsia, Peruvian weirdo Mirabilis jalapa, Patagonian verbena and various species of Hebe.
By cultivating plants that produce pollen and nectar, we encourage insects to visit our garden frequently.To facilitate the work of diligent collectors, try to cultivate as many different species as possible.
Fragrant herbal discount
Herbs are not only pretty plants, they also attract insects and are used in the kitchen.Different species will fit on a 1x2 m bed. The last plan is occupied by tall lavender plants Lavandula angustifolia (1 pc) lemon balm Melissa officinalis (1 pc). In front of them grows medium-high calendula Calendula officinalis (3 pcs.) Accompanied by Calaminta nepeta 'Triumphator' (2 pcs.). The edge of the bed is decorated with low mountain savory Satureja montana ssp. Illyrica (5 pieces). The flowering period of the herbs is from June to September. The discount should be arranged in a sunny place.
Perennials reign here
A sunny mixed bed has a size of 2x2 m. Up to 6 different plant species can fit on it. It attracts numerous insects:
1. Agastache rugosa angustifolia 'Black Adder' (2 pcs.),
2. budleja by David Buddleja davidii 'Flower Power' (2 pcs.), which create the background for lower plants. For many months it blooms tirelessly
3. lanceolate coreopsis Lanceolata 'Sterntaler' (3 pcs.) with beautiful yellow flowers. The arrangement is diversified by
4. Echinops ritro 'Veitch's Blue' (3 pcs) with blue spherical inflorescences. Right next to it,
5. honey rose 'Gelb' (3 pcs.). The perfect partner for her is the violet blooming
6. mossy sage 'Caradonna' (3 pcs.).
Flower case
A mixture of long-flowering ornamental plants grows in a 100x30 cm container.The long, delicate flower stems of the Patagonian Verbena bonariensis (4 pcs.) Develop from June to October. Cape Mallow Anisodontea capensis (1 pc) flaunts long pink flowers. The orange-yellow Erysimum cheiri lake (1 pc.) Is in the foreground. The low seaside swarm Alyssum maritimum (1 pc.) Picturesquely hangs slender shoots over the edge of the box. Its white flowers smell strongly of honey. In summer, Hyssop Hyssopus officinalis (2 pcs.) Opens up a lot of small flowers.
