I’ve just been inspired by a pollination programme on TV, to increase the pollination value to our tiny garden. It is mostly laid to lawn, with a shrub boarder - mostly small trees and ferns. I have three wooden planters which I am planning to put along the fence along the fence and I’ve already planted a raspberry cane and a blackcurrent bush in the boarder. I’m planning to dig up a large and very dead fern so there will be a little more space, but I can’t dig up the whole bed as we are renting. we have one bed in the front garden which is about 1m by 3m, but permanently shaded.

Because we have so little space I had planned to devote it to veggies, but I do want to provide a better environment for pollinators. What veggies are good for insects, or what flowers can share a planter without pinching all the nutrients?!

I looked at the RHS list of pollinators, but they are mostly flowers with the odd fruit tree. I am tempted to plant a Jasmine by the front door though - I love the smell and it’s supposed to be great for insects!

Angie

Bees love clover, if you don’t mind having it growing in your lawn (might mean having to wear shoes when clover is in flower and you are going outside).  .  Lavender is always a good companion plant as is calendula (plus you can harvest the flowers of both for use in the home).  I think your best bet would be companion plants rather than veggies themselves as attracting pollinators.  Companion plants will help to protect the veggies from pests and are usually useful in themselves.

That sounds good! Is calendula the same as French Marigold? I vaguely remember seeing both names on a packet of seeds…

Angie

It’s not French marigold, but pot marigold http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendula_officinalis. I usually have some seed saved, I will check and let you know if you would like me to send you some.

I would wholeheartedly second the idea of companion planting. It is good because in addition to attracting the pollinators you want, it can actually distract pests.  Even though “marigold” gets used for a number of plants, they’re not all the same.  Calendula are ones that I commonly see in medicinal literature and the French Marigold (Tagetes) in the gardening/companion planting literature.  Both would be worthwhile to have in your garden for pollination, beauty and personal use!

The quick and dirty wikipedia entries are here (probably good, but use with caution)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendula_officinalis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagetes_patula

In several of my gardening books they give lists of good options for companion plants.  If memory serves the HDRA Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening is one, and one I have from the US is Ed Smith’s Gardening Bible.  You can probably find other good options that are UK centered in your library.

Another thing I would suggest, is to plant some native plants, since these will attract the local pollinators (and help the local wildlife).  Because they’re adapted to the area, they’re also much less fussy and user-friendly.  In addition, many are really beautiful and overlooked in our fasciation with “exotics”.

Here are two that I would have bought if I had stayed in the UK:

English plants for your Garden by Jill Hamilton (she seems to have a number of different books, some might be worth a thumbing through)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/English-Plants-Your-Garden-Hamilton/dp/0711214352/ref=pd_cp_b_0

Starting out with Native plants by Charlotte de la Bedoyere
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Starting-Native-Plants-Charlotte-Bedoyere/dp/1845376692/ref=sr_1_28?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329375494&sr=1-28

This one also looks good:

A Gardener’s guide to Native plants of Britain and Ireland
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gardeners-Native-Plants-Britain-Ireland/dp/1847973094/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1329375212&sr=8-18

Good luck and HAVE FUN!!!!!!

Lavender are always good for attracting bees - and one plant in my old garden that was always absolutely covered in bees was cotoneaster. It flowers quite early in the Soring - just when the bees are needing to build themselves up after winter.  They don’t mind too much shade - ours got the sun in the morning.

LOVe attracting the bees to our garden. Here’s what they love in my neck of the woods; in order of preference

Comfrey
Thyme
marjoram
Mint
Echinacea
borage
Lavender
Sage
Apple blossom

and I was fortunate enough to interview a plant expert on my blog who gave me heaps of advice about all sorts of things regarding planting for bees. It’s fascinating: http://littlegreenblog.com/green-home/gardening-and-pest-control/bee-friendly-plants/

Be aware that comfrey, mint and borage will take over, so only plant in containers if you have a small plot Speaking from experience LOL!

My favourite flower for attracting bees is Poached Egg plant (Limnanthes Douglasii) - fab for edging beds/borders and brilliant companion plant as they attract hoverflies too that will keep aphids under control too. Would recommend many of the above especially Lavender, Calendula & Borage and great for using too but yes Borage is invasive.

Veggies that bees love the flowers of - Alliums, onions, courgette/squash (although possibly a bit large for you), tomatoes, beans - french and runner.