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Help with perennials for pollinators in a small patch.
woodman509x69ly4tx
Posts: 7
in Plants
Happy Spring to you Beautiful Gardening Gurus!
Please can you help me by providing suggestions on what I could potentially plant in this little patch that is approx. 1m x 2m. Currently there are 3 hydrangeas and a rose in this little area. At the back is a Bay Bush that has a rather woody Rosemary underneath that still produces either fresh sprigs for cooking. I would like to remove the Hydrangeas and the Rose and put in plants that will provide food for the bees, butterflies and, the moths. This area is west south west facing but due to the surrounding buildings starts to get the sun for midday onwards in summer.
The garden is predominantly viewed from the patio area so as far as heights of the plants go, it isn't a major issue if taller plants are in the area of the pole (yet to be painted) and the bird feeder. For example I was thinking that I could plant some Allium Giganteum there to add a little interest. I know that it is probably best to select a couple of different specimens and fill the area with them. As it is a small area I would need plants that would attract the widest selection of pollinators. Maybe underplant this area with some plants that can provide some food or shelter for the pollinators out of the Spring and Summer growing season. I will also look to utilise the corner with the tap by planting up some more pots. Of the current pot collection I have a Penstemon, Lavender, Phlox and a Salvia. Perhaps having a pot on the ground with something with a bit of height and then something that would do will in direct full summer sun on the shelf - I'm not sure, just thinking out loud. I'm not an experienced gardener just looking to help out the wildlife in my first proper garden.
Thank you for any suggestions.
James
Please can you help me by providing suggestions on what I could potentially plant in this little patch that is approx. 1m x 2m. Currently there are 3 hydrangeas and a rose in this little area. At the back is a Bay Bush that has a rather woody Rosemary underneath that still produces either fresh sprigs for cooking. I would like to remove the Hydrangeas and the Rose and put in plants that will provide food for the bees, butterflies and, the moths. This area is west south west facing but due to the surrounding buildings starts to get the sun for midday onwards in summer.
The garden is predominantly viewed from the patio area so as far as heights of the plants go, it isn't a major issue if taller plants are in the area of the pole (yet to be painted) and the bird feeder. For example I was thinking that I could plant some Allium Giganteum there to add a little interest. I know that it is probably best to select a couple of different specimens and fill the area with them. As it is a small area I would need plants that would attract the widest selection of pollinators. Maybe underplant this area with some plants that can provide some food or shelter for the pollinators out of the Spring and Summer growing season. I will also look to utilise the corner with the tap by planting up some more pots. Of the current pot collection I have a Penstemon, Lavender, Phlox and a Salvia. Perhaps having a pot on the ground with something with a bit of height and then something that would do will in direct full summer sun on the shelf - I'm not sure, just thinking out loud. I'm not an experienced gardener just looking to help out the wildlife in my first proper garden.
Thank you for any suggestions.
James
0
Posts
Thanks for the list of plants also, I will have a look through it. Geraniums are always good 👍. We have a shade loving variant in a pot, just starting to regrow.
I forgot to add, it probably isn't worth worrying about larval food plants in a small patch. Butterflies and moths are often specific about where they lay their eggs, and will probably prefer a large stand of whatever the food plant is, so that the caterpillars don't run out of food.
Maybe you have another spot that you could devote to a larval food plants, say in a rough grass area? Common bird's foot trefoil is a good one, it supports a range of butterfly species.
@Loxley, no unfortunately there in no room for expansion of the bed. Where it is at the moment did used to be part of the patio until the previous owners removed it. There could be a bit more grass the could be claimed going towards the fence around the Bay and the 2 remaining/redundant patio slabs taken up but I think that it wouldn't be a great deal of room. Perhaps 1 x 0.5 meters , if not less.
As we are so tight for space in the garden, we sowed a shady variety of wild flower seed at the back of the garden last year where we had a bare patch of soil under, what i think is, a young twisted willow. I'm not sure how well they will do but was worth a try. Does the Common bird's foot trefoil needs full sun? We also have a woodland-y bed that doesn't get any sun due to the surrounding walls and buildings in which I planted Lungwort, Blue Bells and, Wood Anemone in an effort to get some colour and early nectar available in the garden.
I'm sure I'm not the only one but i find it so difficult to make a decision on plants for beds trying to workout what will look good where. At least with pots you can move them around lol.