Forum home› Wildlife gardening

clematis

creepscreeps Posts: 4
in Wildlife gardening

Hi

Im looking to buy a new clematis and would like to buy one to attract the bees and butterflies has anyone any suggestions please

«1

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,645

    Clematis don't produce nectar so any insects visiting are there for the pollen.   i'd go for one with small, open flowers rather than the big flowered hybrids as you'll get more flowers per plant and thus more nectar.   Other than that, select a colour and habit you like and which suits the situation - aspect, amoiunt of sun etc. 

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • creepscreeps Posts: 4

    thank you , appreciate your comments

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,645

    Sorry, meant more pollen, not more nectar.  Typing slip.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,450

    Im not sure about how well they attreact bees, but heres a photo of one of my favourite Clematis called Dr Ruppel growing over my archway. I love its colour ....

    http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/thebear843/Garden/file_zps37424126.jpg

     

    http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/thebear843/Garden/file_zps0fbe0229.jpg

     

     

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,645

    I've just remembered that my clematis Red Ballon was covered in insects when a couple of wildlife chaps came to advise me about nests for swifts and house martins and there were 4 different bees on a single sedum sepcatabile plant.   Being wildlife purists they were surprised as they'd always thought you had to grow native plants such as weeds and wild clematis (old man's beard) to attract insects.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • Gardening GrandmaGardening Grandma Posts: 1,746

    Thst's a lovely clematis, LF. Clematis terniflora (sweet autumn clematis) is supposed to be very attractive to bees and butterflies, but it is very rampant, too, and can get out of control.

  • LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,450

    Thanks GG. It really performed well last year and surprised me with the amount of flowers. Thou it had spent the previous 2 years in a pot being moved aroun my garden. Im hoping now that it has settled that it will do just as well or better this year.

  • Gardening GrandmaGardening Grandma Posts: 1,746

    You must be feeding it well.

  • LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,450

    Actually yes, I do recall sprinkling sone clematis food around the soil. I shall have to remember to do the same this year. 

  • chicachica Posts: 252

    you have a lovely garden leadfarmer

Sign In or Register to comment.