A Gentle Hum

The epitome of Summer sounds in a garden is the gentle hum of insects visiting flowers. The buzz of tiny flies and the drone of Bees. These sounds are becoming rarer though. Insects are becoming scarcer throughout the countryside. Most of it is due to agricultural practices, the destruction of natural habitats, loss of wild flowers and use of insecticides.

Everyone can help in their own gardens by growing a few plants insects love. Unfortunately many of the bedding that is grown is not always insect friendly. But some of the old cottage garden plants are beloved by insects. They can become the backbone of many gardens creating a rich and diverse population.

Flies enjoying the Golden Rod (Solidago canadensis)

Golden Rod is easy to grow and beloved by virtually every insect in the garden. Bumblebees, Butterflies and numerous different specie of Flies. The older more natural form reaching nearly 5 feet in height.

  Golden Rod forms a lovely bright Summery clump.

Another strong growing and easy plant is Inula Hookeri. Large flowers on strong stems growing up to 4 feet, attracts Bees of all kinds and Butterflies in abundance, who flit down to sip gently from the large open flowers.

Bee visiting Inula hookeri

Butterfly on the Inula     

No garden should be without a Buddleia. It's the Butterfly magnet for gardens. Planting one ensures you will have masses of these colourful insects flitting around the garden.

Admiral Butterfly visiting the Buddleia (Buddleia davidii)

Now is the time to look for the insect attractors at Garden Centres, they will be on display in full flower. Some of the other plants may have to be sourced from old gardens, or more specialist nurseries. The taller Golden Rod for one has fallen out of favour for the shorter forms that can be found. The short forms do attract insects but not in the quantities of the taller Solidago. If you see a garden with a clump ask them in Winter for a small piece for the garden, better still offer a swap with something else.

Build up a collection of insect attractors and bring an even greater richness into the garden.