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I'm in love with the moth orchid. Not obsessed, no butterflies in the stomach, you understand. It's just that orchids are... perfect.What greater example of natural purity could you ask for? And unlike slipper orchids that lack generosity by only

tiny clusters of creamy white flowers in early summer that attract a range of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.CarawayBorago officinalis is an attractive plant with hairy leaves that have a slight cucumber flavour. Its delicate blue flowers

Late-summer nectarAs some insects are still out foraging in late-summer, it's a good idea to provide food for them with nectar-rich, late-flowering plants.Plants for beesIn late-summer, many plants have finished flowering, but bees, butterflies

:Wildlife-friendly plantsLeucanthemum vulgare (Ox-eye daisy)Plantago (Plantain)Lychnis flos cuculi (Ragged robin)Dipsacus fullonum (Teasel)Buddleja davidii,'Black Knight' (Butterfly bush)Digitalis grandiflora (Foxglove)Campanula rotundifolia (Harebell)Eupatorium purpureum

? If I grow buckthorn, maybe the brimstone butterfly will come in to breed. Or perhaps a patch of red clover will attract rare bumblebees.To avoid getting carried away, I’m narrowing the list down. Here are my Top 10 plants for a dream garden:Big cushions

There are many hardy and half-hardy annuals that can be grown for cut flowers. Many attract bees and butterflies and some species can be dried, for use in long-lasting displays.Sow hardy and half-hardy annuals between March and April in small pots

Will our love affair with Verbena bonariensis ever wane? This fabulous flower looks as good growing individually among low border plants as it does planted en masse. The open, airy quality of the stems only adds to the appeal. Wildlife loves V

Verbena bonariensisVerbena bonariensis flowers on tall, wiry stems and can be planted with a variety of different perennials, including grasses. It has a long flowering season, making it an ideal plant for low-maintenance gardens and herbaceous

, butterflies and hoverflies. Its strong scent can also deter aphids. Plant with carrots and leeks to confuse pests.LavenderWormwood, Artemisia absinthium, is a strongly scented herb that can deter aphids and flea beetles from attacking neighbouring plants. Its

of butterflies, as they are the primary food source for many caterpillars including those of the comma, tortoiseshell and peacock. Without nettles caterpillars would go in search of alternative food sources - probably one of your favourite plants.Nettles help