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to this striking insect is also linked to an historical association with nearby Denmark Hill, only a mile or so from my house. Let me explain.Merodon was not known in Britain until the middle of the 19th century. The prominent entomologist George Verrall reported

plants (there was a particularly striking group of them in Tom Hoblyn's Chelsea garden in 2009). These have slippery sides into which insects fall and are then digested by the fluid at the base of the pitcher. There are large colonies growing in both

bought it, so I'd take responsibility for it.The tree spent a few weeks in the garden, looking just as sad as those on the canal. Then I took the secateurs to it. I removed all the branches and gathered them together in bundles for insects to shelter in

of interesting things about oaks:1. Oaks are host to an awful lot of insects, lichens and birds - not to mention the various fungi that hang around the root systems.2. Because of the number of feeding insects, oak leaves look a bit shabby by July but

Make a bee-lineGreat flowers start with pollination, and for that you need bees. Find out how to get the busiest garden insects to work for you.How to... make a bee hotelGardens are extremely important for bumblebees, and vice versa. Bees need

amphibians. Wood left in full sun will dry out quicker and support fewer invertebrates, but may be used by nesting solitary bees or as a basking site for insects and reptiles. If you have the space, why not make dead wood features in several areas of your

warm rock or stone, to gain enough energy from the sun to hunt for insect food. Often, they will choose a particular spot, which they regularly return to. If you disturb a basking lizard, you can try sitting quietly in the same place to see

-east.If your local wine store doesn't have any spare crates, buy some extra timber and make one instead.Attracting wildlife and insects to your gardenBuilding a bat boxConstructing a bird boxMaking a stag beetle bucketBrowse plants that are attractive

Clematis wilt is caused by a fungus that enters the plant through a wound made by an insect or an abrasion, such as rubbing from a plant tie. It's spread by water splash, and blocks the uptake of water in the stems, causing instant collapse

and greenhouse plantsspring, summer, autumn, winter More common plant problemsAphidsMagnesium deficiencyRustScale insects