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MD in current GW
I have just been reading MDs article on why we should plant natives as they are more beneficial to insects. Whilst I do like to grow quite a few natives, the plants I have hd the most insects on this year have been; Cirsium rivulare and Knautia macedonia neither of which are native.
I would be interested to know what others think.
How can you lie there and think of England
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
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the native plants are the food plants for the larvae of the native insects doc.
In the sticks near Peterborough
The answer is a good mix. If you stuck just to native plants, the garden would be a much poorer place. Britiain is very low in the number of native plants compared to other parts of Europe.
The plant which always amazes me is Lonicera alseuosmoides, an evergreen climbing type. The flowers are nothing much to look at and as far as I can discern, scent-free, yet I have just counted over 300 bees of all kinds all over it. Far and away more than there is on L. peryclimen the native Honeysuckle.
Regarding wildlife - I think if we all do a little it helps a lot.
It's a simple philosophy but I reckon it does the job.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I think just growing natives is a bit precious and very boring in the UK. It's going to look like a bed of weeds with a short flowering season and not much other interest for most of the year. I don't really like prairie style planting but I feel that does at least offer more variety of form, texture and colour for longer.
My garden is a mix of European natives and plants from other parts of the world. There's no shortage of nectar available and I have a pond, an insect hotel, log piles and bird feeders plus a good range of trees, shrubs and perennials to provide food and shelter all year round for all sorts of wildlife. The place is buzzing.
Thank you Waterbutts... my philosophy to a "T"...
Verd., are you not fed up with those that pontificate without a shred of evidence to back up their claims. If they had to bet their pensions on the outcomes I think they might keep quiet. However they have to keep their names in lights lest we all cease to be in awe of them. Come back Titchmarsh.. all is forgiven.