With BBC Gardeners’ World and Insect Week just finished up and a new GWCT Solitary Bee Project Appeal underway, what better time to check in and see how we can support one of my favourite invertebrate groups – pollinators.
I was lucky enough to come and speak with the team at Wool Pots at Gardeners’ World about how we can be more conscious with our gardening approaches using sustainable methods and careful garden planning. As usual I was heartened by the presentation of gardens at the show and how many included an array of more natural/native plant species that one might be able to match to those planted in the field margins of farmland.
Common species I like to see in gardens include yarrow, ox-eye daisy, scabious, knapweed, and foxgloves. At the forefront of my mind however are also the six key floral species pulled out by the PhD work of my colleague at the GWCT – Rachel Nicholls. Her research highlighted that, while diversity is essential, there are a handful of particularly important species that provide broad support. So inspired by favourites and that of Rachel here’s a bingo for you to fill in while you are in your garden or out on a walk.
