Asters!

rhiwfield

Wanted a bit of autumn colour so I grew some of Wilko's asters from seed and midsummer they looked as if they were a bit diseased. Still, I put them in one of the long beds vacated by veg and they are now a riot of colour.

But even better is that they are a magnet for bees, hoverflies and butterflies. This morning there's been speckled wood, peacock, red admiral, small tortoiseshell and best of all a brimstone.

Lupins and dahlias were less good for wildlife but asters will now be a regular late summer/autumn feature

Mortal

sounds great! I think we all need some photo's though

Jack's_mummy

I love Asters and they are so easy to grow from seeds. Mine have almost gone over now

peter_the_piper

I would grow more of them if they could make one which flowers a lot earlier, most don't until June/July.

rhiwfield

Mortal wrote: »

sounds great! I think we all need some photo's though

O ye of little faith!

bee

bed

speckled wood

asters and apples

Mortal

oh I believed you, I just wanted to drool LOL

Davesnave

Aster divaricatus & aster schreiberi are two fairly unremarkable plants, but great for insects, and you won't need to sow them every year.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/3313861/How-to-grow-Aster-schreberi.html

ixwood

They're often mentioned as a good nectar plant and popular with Butterflies. Them flowering late is a bonus really, as that's the main Butterfly season.

They're on my to get list for my wildlife/butterfly garden. I don't know a lot about them, but had the impression they were annuals, so some perennial versions sound good.

PS LIDL had packs of 6 Hebes, Cotoneaster or Honeysuckles in for £4 last week. They're all good for wildlife and they may still have some left.