Notebook
Use nectarrich f lowers to please the bees
1 Blechnum spicant
An evergreen fern with dark green feathery fronds that forms compact mounds. Needs a shady spot and moist, acidic soil. H50cm (20in) S45cm (18in)
2 Digitalis ciliata
Evergreen perennial foxglove with slender spikes of pale yellow or cream-coloured tubular blooms from May to July, which are popular with bees. H and S50cm (20in)
3 Agastache ‘Beelicious Purple’
Compact perennial with purple butterfly and bee-friendly blooms July–Oct. It needs free-draining soil and an autumn mulch. H45cm (18in) S30cm (12in)
4 Deschampsia cespitosa
Versatile grass that’s happy in sun or part shade. Silvery flower spikes make a lovely backdrop for other perennials. Birds feed on seeds in autumn. H and S75cm (2½ft)
5 Festuca gautieri
This mound-forming ornamental grass produces long, slim, needle-like leaves. Goldfinches and linnets find the buff-coloured seedheads particularly attractive. H40cm (16in) S30cm (12in)
6 Viburnum opulus
Deciduous shrub with spherical creamywhite flowerheads from may to June that are loved by hoverflies. Its glistening autumn red berries are devoured by birds. H and S4m (13ft)
7 Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’
Perennial oregano has vibrant golden-yellow leaves and light pink flowers on wiry stems, forming a loose clump. Best in full sun and welldrained soil. H and S40cm (16in)
8 Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’
This perennial has fleshy, succulent leaves and flat-topped, pink flowerheads August to Sept – a magnet for bees and butterflies. Stands well in winter. H and S60cm (2ft)
11 Verbena bonariensis
Slender stems topped with clusters of tiny, bright butterfly-friendly purple flowers can be woven through a border. H2m (6½ft) S30cm (12in)
12 Thymus ‘Bressingham’
This thyme produces a fragrant grey-green mat of leaves and profusion of bright pink blooms June-July. H20cm (8in) S35cm (14in)
13 Thymus pseudolanuginosus
A low-growing thyme with small, grey, woolly leaves and pink flowers that bees find highly attractive. H10cm (4in) S25cm (10in)
14 Thymus ‘Doone Valley’
A green and gold variegated thyme with a lemony scent and purple flowers in summer. H10cm (4in) S45cm (18in)
15 Thymus serpyllum ‘Snowdrift’
This creeping thyme forms an evergreen carpet of foliage and has small white flowers June–July. H20cm (8in) S45cm (18in)
9 Scabiosa ‘Butterfly Blue’
Longflowering compact perennial with a mass of lavender blue, pincushion-like blooms on tall wiry stems June–Nov. Plant in sun and well-drained soil. H and S40cm (16in)
10 Iris ensata ‘Variegata’
Eelegant perennial with strappy, green and cream variegated leaves and deep purple blooms May–July. Marginal for moist location. H75cm (2½ft) S50cm (20in)
16 Eryngium zabelii ‘Jos Eijking’
Metallic blue blooms with spiky ruff. Good architectural presence into autumn. Sun and well-drained soil. H70cm (28in) S40cm (16in)
17 Clematis ‘Advent Bells’
Evergreen for a sheltered, sunny spot and well-drained soil. Attracts bees with its mottled pink flowers Nov–Feb. H3.5m (12ft) S2.5m (8ft)