Concern over declines in insects has increased public interest in planting flowers in gardens and parks to support species that are vital for wildlife – but choices over ‘pollinator-friendly’ seed mixes are often based on anecdotal advice.
Concern over declines in insects has increased public interest in planting flowers in gardens and parks to support species that are vital for wildlife – but choices over ‘pollinator-friendly’ seed mixes are often based on anecdotal advice.
Now, new scientific research has identified the best plants to include in annual flowering displays to attract bees and hoverflies, enabling gardeners, councils and seed mix distributors to better choose suitable species to support our pollinators.
The study, which included the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), reviewed around 450 scientific papers on plant-insect interactions and carried out trials of commercially available and novel seed mixes at the National Botanic Garden of Wales.
Read More: UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
The seed mix plots in the trial at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Photo Credit: Natasha de Vere
