Buzz words

For the most part, gardeners like bees. They do a good job with plants, so they are usually welcome.

But bees are in decline in the UK and are struggling for survival. Honey bees have suffered heavy losses due to disease, and of the UK's 27 species of bumble bee, three are now extinct.

Which is one of the reasons why the charity, PlantforLife, in association with The British Beekeepers' Association, has produced a new guide to planting to attract bees into gardens. The guide is available to download, free, at www.plantforlife.info/bees

The factsheet provides a list of plants – together with tips on how and when to plant and care for them – that will encourage bees back into the garden.

The plants featured include buddleia, cornflowers, corn poppies, flowering currants, foxgloves, heathers, honeysuckle, lamb's ear, lavender, sea holly, sedum and sunflowers.

YP MAG 7/8/10