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Roses from the USA, plea for more pollinators
GArdeners are being urged to take immediate action to help stem the global decline of vital plant pollinators. Butterfly Conservation is asking gardeners across the UK to take part in its new Plant Pots for Pollinators scheme, which is designed to provide nectar sources for beneficial insects.
The charity said that butterflies are declining faster in urban areas than the countryside – and wants to find out which UK county is home to the most butterfly-friendly gardens.
Nectar sources
It is asking gardeners to plant a pot of nectar sources such as shasta daisy and cosmos (see panel, right).
By planting just one pot in the UK’s estimated 24 million gardens, campaigners say we can provide pollinators with food and shelter.
They say bees, moths, butterflies, hoverflies and beetles have a role to play in pollinating wild flowers. Pollinating insects are also critical for successful fertilisation of many crops including fruit.
Butterfly Conservation ambassador Kate Bradbury said: “A simple pot of lavender or buddleja on the doorstop can be a butterfly magnet.”
Wildlife experts say that by planting flowers such as French marigold, calendula and dahlia, gardeners will be providing food for butterflies such as the small tortoiseshell, red admiral and peacock – while pots of thyme and lavender plants will attract bees and pollinating insects.
The Plant Pots for Pollinators project is being sponsored by B&Q. The retailer’s rachel Bradley said: “Last month we launched a report called Nature of Gardens which found that 64 per cent of people were concerned about wildlife and 63 per cent believed there is a benefit in bringing wildlife closer to home.”
Visit 8 plantpotsforpollinators.org.
“There are benefits in attracting wildlife”