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and widespread, but more an insect of rough flowery grassland, verges, meadows and commons than of domestic gardens. The larvae burrow in plant stems, but only wild flowers so it's never a pest. It's easy to see how this noble-looking beetle got its scientific

. And it's very common, occurring throughout the country in parks, gardens, meadows, woods and forests. It parasitizes a huge range of moth caterpillars, including common garden species like yellow underwing, Noctua pronuba, and lime hawkmoth, Mimas tiliae

. Foxglove14. Heather15. Honeysuckle16. Lavender17. Poppy18. Pussy willow19. Raspberry20. Red Campion21. Rosemary22. Scabious23. Sea Holly24. Sunflower25. Teasel26. Thistles27. Viper's bugloss28. WisteriaI'm growing 21 of the above plants in my garden

the job, I noted a couple of honeybees foraging for nectar. I liked the HESCO garden, the centre of which was a canal lock (complete with leaky canal bursting through), and consisted of three areas: a floral meadow, woodland and wetland.I was impressed

is the most pleasant to work with. It was eminent English physician George Cheyne (1671-1742) who said something along the lines that the Creator had deliberately made horse dung smell so sweet, because he knew that mankind would oft be in its presence. Cow

was prompted by Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count.From 16-31 July, Butterfly Conservation hopes thousands will spend just 15 minutes counting butterflies in their garden, local park, field, forest or school. This will help the charity monitor

. In addition to trying again with a few delicate crocuses I've also planted an area with Fritillaria meleagris, the snake's head fritillary. I've always loved these bulbs, and have been lucky enough to find them growing naturally in meadows in some parts

the gardener, but is a desert for insects. So in front of the Bar we laid a strip of wildlife turf, which is enriched with dozens of wildflowers and nine different types of grass. We'll grow it long, then cut it, as we do the wildflower meadow, just twice a

them with essential sources of nectar and pollen. Native wildflowers, such as foxgloves, meadow cranesbill and teasel, are best. Gardeners can also encourage bumblebees to nest by leaving a patch of long grass or emptying compost bins less frequently

long. Then I'll sow grass seed in the dead patches. I'm also cultivating a small wildflower meadow among the long grass, so I'll transplant some self-sown field poppies here and remove some ragwort I accidentally transplanted the other week.If it rains