Search - Articles

A ring or whorl of petals that are usually arranged this way to attract insects for pollination.

The transfer of pollen - by insects, wind or hand - to the female stigma, after which fertilisation of the ovule ensues.

The honey-like liquid secreted by plants. It's commonly found in flowers, and attracts bees and insect pollinators.

The lip-like lower petal of an orchid flower, which is distinct from the others both in form and patterning. Serves as a platform for pollinating insects.

Poor early-summer weather, with a prolonged cold spell, and few insects results in poor pollination. This means courgettes fail to develop, and they quickly rot on the plant. However, this is only a temporary problem, and once the weather starts

at the front. Top up with compost and water well.To make the two bee hotels, drill several deep, 5-8mm wide holes into a 15-20cm long log, and fill an offcut of drainpipe with lengths of bamboo. Place among the plants.AdamChoose an open, sunny, sheltered site

, and can be picked off by hand.The moment you spot an infestation, spray them with pyrethrum. If the plants are in flower, spray in the evening, so pollinating insects aren't affected.verbascum, buddleia, figwortsmid-spring to midsummerMore advice

other insects hibernate in its foliage.Ivy, Hedera helixLate-flowering buddleja supplies insects with nectar when others have finished flowering. Pollinators attracted to its blooms include bees, moths and hoverflies.BuddlejaMany hebe cultivars flower

Jekka McVicar's 10 companion plantsJekka McVicar's organic herb garden achieved a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show 2009. We caught up with her at the show to discover her top 10 herbs for growing as companion plants.Companion planting

Nesting female bees cut out immediately obvious elliptical shapes from the edges of a leaf to make their cells for laying eggs. Since one female might need 20 or so cells, that's a lot of leaf cutting, particularly when the bee keeps returning