If the Weeds Act 1959 is driving council maintenance regimes, it's news to my local council. It seems to only be applied where such weeds are a genuine nuisance. TBH I think it *is* sometimes appropriate to control 'pernicious' perennial weeds, I don't see why this has to be counter to letting grass verges grow longer and promoting more wildflower/bee friendly plantings, which most councils up and down the country are promoting. The bigger picture is more of a culture change in the way maintenance teams are run, and the expectations of the public, I think.
Yes, but not only. In my garden I wage war on weeds (i.e. unwanted plants) but I do grow lots of bee-friendly horticultural plants. There are plenty to choose from.
That’s great @Papi Jo 😊 but the point the OP was making is that as well as providing nectar sources for the adults, we need to provide food plants for the larval stages of all pollinating insects ... moths, butterflies etc ... not just nectar for bees.
Without the caterpillars there’ll be no butterflies ...
“I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh
Without the caterpillars there’ll be no butterflies ...
Totally agree, Dove, that's why in my garden I also provide food for caterpillars, especially but not exclusively those caterpillars which will give lovely butterflies, such as the Papilio machaon!
Papilio machaon caterpillar feeding on Ruta graveolens foliage.
It looks like this has passed the 10,000 mark which means the government will issue a response. A long way to go before it hits the parliamentary debate milestone though.
The jist of it seems to be that the government respects the role of these weeds in the eco system and doesn't want them eradicated but also will fine you if they're found to be growing on your land and you're not stopping them spreading by eradicating them
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Without the caterpillars there’ll be no butterflies ...
"Because of the General Election, the closing date for the petitions you signed has changed. All petitions now have to close at 00:01am on 6 November. This is because Parliament will be dissolved, which means all parliamentary business – including petitions – will come to an end until after the election. This means the petitions site will be closed and people will not be able to start or sign petitions.
We’re sorry we weren’t able to give you more notice that this would happen.
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