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I’m going to plant my bulbs earlier this year, to avoid disturbing any hibernating creatures in colder weather. I've just bought 20 winter aconites, 20 Nectaroscordum siculum, and the Gardeners’ World magazine offers: 100 free alliums and 160

(especially native and local strains) often provide the best sources of pollen and nectar for bees, but some ornamental plants are just as good. The key is to avoid plants which have been intensively bred (which contain little nectar) and plants with double

and short corollas will attract the greatest variety of bees.The quality of nectar and pollen varies between plants and is an important consideration for bee-friendly gardeners. Nectar (carbohydrate) provides bees with the energy to fly, while pollen

I'm not one for manicured lawns. I think lawn weeds are pretty. I'd really like clumps of bird's foot trefoil, dandelions, daisies, creeping buttercup and self-heal growing among the grass in my garden. In fact, I've just planted some clover

elsewhere. Growing nectar-rich plants is a good way to entice them in, but they won't nest in your flower beds. Butterflies lay eggs in long grass, nettles and thistles (depending on the species), while bumblebees prefer undisturbed messy areas

. There was also a gorgeous sculpture of two boxing hares.Even more traditional ornamental gardens featured relaxed, wildlife-friendly planting. Cleve West's Daily Telegraph Garden was made using reclaimed Cotswold stone and yew hedging, along with nectar

that the plants are providing a late source of nectar and pollen for bees, hoverflies and other pollinators. Soon they'll be plenty of seed for the birds.How are your sunflowers coming along? Have they reached the dizzy height of 2m or more? Do let us know

removing the wild plants, perhaps the gardeners could have planted the tulips among them. Rather than tulips, spring bulbs such as crocus, snake's head fritillary and snowdrops, could have been planted to provide a much-needed early source of nectar

featured raised beds planted with nectar plants and companion planting schemes. 'An audience with Mathew Wilson' warmed up the crowd before Jekka McVicar presented a lecture on growing and eating native plants. I wish I could have stayed for the rest

read more on the subject here). The theory is that the thiacloprid is absorbed via the roots into the plant's sap, pollen and nectar, and that anything that feeds from it can die. Thiacloprid is active for up to three months and imidacloprid can last