THREE OF THE VERY BEST: ECO-FRIENDLY ANNUALS

Fast-growing annuals that complete their life cycle within a year are among the most valuable of all eco-garden plants. Some flower within weeks of sowing, immediately attracting pollinators. Always choose varieties with simple, single flowers, rich in insect-accessible nectar and pollen. From How to Create an Eco Garden by John Walker (Lorenz Books, £15)

POT MARIGOLD, CALENDULA OFFICINALIS

Family: Asteraceae

This fast-growing annual has slightly sticky, pale green leaves and flat, disc-like flowers, often with dark eyes that attract bees and hoverflies. Sow the large seeds outdoors in midspring. ‘Nova’ and ‘Daisy May’ are good single cultivars. Allow to self-seed among crops in a food garden. Height: 30–45cm.

BEDDING DAHLIA, DAHLIA ‘FASCINATION’

Family: Asteraceae Bees and butterflies flock to the large flowers, up to 10cm wide, above the bronze leaves of this tuberousrooted perennial, grown as a summer flowering annual. Sow mid-spring under cover or buy grown plants, choosing single cultivars in mixed colours. Tubers can be stored frost-free over winter. Height: 60–90cm.

POACHED EGG PLANT, LIMNANTHES DOUGLASII

Family: Limnanthaceae These nectar-rich, yellowcentred white flowers appear from spring onwards above glossy and divided yellowgreen leaves. Sow the large black seeds outdoors in spring. It self-seeds readily, forming low-growing clumps that can fill gaps in edges of beds. Self-sown seedlings will overwinter and flower early the next spring. Height: 15cm.