If I asked, "What does 'gardening for pollinators' mean to you?" I bet most of you would shout in collective agreement: “Flowers!”.
And you’d be right- flowers are essential for helping pollinators by providing nectar and pollen.
But what if I told you, it's not just about nectar and pollen? Are you growing plants that support the entire life cycle of certain insects?
Before a butterfly becomes a butterfly, it’s a caterpillar, and these caterpillars are often very hungry, specialist feeders that aren't interested in pollen and nectar Fortunately, many plants are great caterpillar food as well as sources of nectar and pollen and I’m going to share some of my favourites with you
If you act quickly, there’s still time to sow the gorgeous biennial flower Honesty (Lunaria annua) Hurry, though you want it established by September so it can start flowering in April next year Is it good for pollinators? Absolutely! You’ll see a wide variety of insects visiting Honesty, from bee flies and butterflies to bees, hoverflies, and moths Honesty is also a food plant for the larvae of the beautiful orange-tip butterfly. later in the year it produces pearlescent seed heads, perfect for dry flower arrangements and wreaths a win-win for everyone.
Another favourite and essential flower on my allotment is nasturtium. This plant is often overlooked by many gardeners but I wouldn't be without it! Its flowers are very attractive to bees, and I can spend hours watching bumblebees get lost inside them Both the leaves and flowers are edible and have a delightful peppery taste As a bonus, you can pickle the seeds, which are known as 'poor man ’ s capers' delicious Nasturtiums are also fantastic for luring white butterflies away from your brassicas The larvae of Green-veined White, Small White, Large White, and High Brown Fritillary butterflies all choose nasturtiums as their food plant Before picking nasturtium leaves for your salad, check for butterfly eggs unless you like a little extra protein!
Verbena bonariensis is a must on my plot! This major pollinator magnet flowers until the first frosts Gorgeous tall stems gently sway in the wind, attracting a wide variety of butterflies, moths, and bees. Not often mentioned, but the faint scent of Verbena is delicious, and I can only imagine the nectar tastes incredible!
I also grow many ox-eye daisies on the allotment. They are incredibly rich in pollen, rewarding me with many visitors, from thick-legged flower beetles to tiny miner bees and longhorn beetles
The more diverse the variety of flowers we grow, the more varied the visitors will be! Planting for pollinators is always about diversity There are over 1,500 species of insects in the UK, and just like us humans, they all have different tastes but also, different tongue lengths Small solitary bees and beetles prefer open flowers like ox-eye daisies and ragwort, as they are easy to access Butterflies and moths, with their long proboscises (tonguelike tubes), can dip into tubular flowers like Verbena bonariensis or Buddleja Bumblebees can easily crawl into foxgloves and nasturtiums but will also appreciate zinnias, honeysuckle, and my favourite spiky flower Echinop.
For a nighttime feast for our moth friends, add white and luminous flowers like night-scented stocks, sweet rocket, jasmine, and nicotiana.
Flowers are great for pollinators, but they are also fantastic for us. There is nothing better than making a few posies and giving them away to friends and family. Zero-mile flowers that are good for insects, people, and biodiversity?
YES PLEASE!
The BBC Gardeners World Live show this year was fabulous as always but it was especially lovely to see the culmination of some of our Garden Folk Friends’ hard work and the incredible show gardens they created. It has been a joy to follow along with the journeys of Ben, Leanne, and Kim leading up to the event. Their spaces were all so different but equally inspiring. Here’s how it all came together. Huge congratulation to them all!
The whole experience building up to the show, has been absolutely mind blowing That being said, the build and show itself has been one enough the most intense times of my life So let me give you an overview of the build
I arrived on the Thursday for a site visit I was there to check the plans, get my bearings and accept a couple of deliveries I spent the day sat in a rectangular box with a coffee and a notepad, planning the garden Measuring the sizes, marking out where things would go etc The deliveries came and once they were sorted, I went home for an early night!
On the Friday, I was joined by Marc and we built the main features. These included the Nestera chicken coop and the raised beds, beehive composter and arch from Zest outdoor living. We then shovelled soil like crazy, as the ground team tipped dumper loads in. With the soil base in, Marc got his steps in by walking over it constantly until it was compact enough for us to build on.
On Saturday, my parents and brother-in-law joined Marc and myself on site It was a massive day as we installed the chicken coop, run and chunnels The raised beds and arch were quickly installed too, as was the compost bin and lots of other details Copagrey arrived at lunchtime to build the seed and compost shelving I then nipped off back to Bristol to get back to Blaise plant nursery to pick and choose a van load of plants!
By Ben Shutler @plot
Sunday saw Kelly, JD & Kerry join the team and we made huge headway placing the plants in place ready for Monday’s big plant out. Lots of the smaller details were put in place, as Stylist Kelly took the helm!
Monday brought more hands on deck with Natalya and Gemma arriving on site The big plant out went so well with everyone digging in I was on foreman duty as I stood there barking orders at the team This was the one time I was allowed to tell my wife what to do! We then managed to get ahead ready for Tuesday’s groundwork
From the Thursday to Sunday, Charlie joined us to ensure the chickens were well cared for. As the public arrived in their thousands, I spent nearly every moment chatting to people and meeting the most amazing people from Instagram and beyond! What a feeling it was, meeting so many fabulous people that I've only ever spoken too through an app! I had professional photos with Frances Tophill, danced with Adam Frost and talked all things chickens with Nicki Chapman. How lucky am I? I mean come on, what a memory!
Sunday night and Monday, we broke the garden down and got it back to Bristol Now it’s time to get it all installed at home as a life long memory of the greatness we achieved I set out to design a garden but what happened was that I built a garden with family and some of my closest friends, which has created life long memories and friendships that we will cherish forever
I'd love to thank all of my sponsors and collaborators for their generosity but also my incredible build team! They took my drawing and made it come to life They wiped away my tears, listened to me moan and we achieved an incredible thing together!
Only one question remains I guess.... Will I do it again next year?
Tuesday was huge! We wanted the garden finished and I left the team powering on, as I headed to Oxford to collect the chickens Charlie met me half way for the handover When I returned, the others had installed the stepping stones and water feature What a team! The chickens were put to bed and we stood back amazed at what we had all created!
Wednesday morning came and it was time for the judges to come and do their thing I was so nervous but at the same time, I knew I built the garden for the public, not to be judged They came and spoke to me and were truly lovely They made me feel like I deserved to be where I was and seemed to enjoy the garden The long day waiting for the results to be announced was exhausting, yet thrilling, as we waited in anticipation I watched film crews video the garden, news reporters thrust microphones in my face, and of course, it was press afternoon, meaning so many wonderful people from Instagram came to see the garden What an experience! At the awards ceremony, my name was called and we heard the results We achieved a Silver award! What an achievement!
The countdown
In the final few weeks before the border build my back garden turned into a storage yard Full of all sorts of random things for any ‘just in case ’ situations I was collecting plants from nurseries, taking delivery of water features and had, what I described as, a ‘small’ tree sitting on the drive With the ever growing collection of border things the nerves also grew but so did the excitement
The build
I had a plan…now I just had to execute it! There’s lots of variables, waiting, and questions that happen during a build and this could have caused frustration but there was such a supportive team at the NEC. From fellow border and garden designers and builders, the gardeners world team and the support crew on the diggers, all were amazing By the time the build was happening I was at the point of thinking ‘what will be will be’ so was actually quite relaxed - until the Wednesday assessment day
Assessment Day
Being last on the assessment day did absolutely nothing for my nerves In hindsight I should have just cried throughout the day and maybe released some
Presentations
I’m not going to go into too much detail about the awards as it’s still a little bit of a blur but I can honestly say that it was full of pinch me moments Everyone in that room showed the best of human nature It’s a moment in my life that I will treasure forever, totally made by the amazing people sharing it with me
Show days
The best part of the whole experience was having conversations with so many people about the garden. Hearing how the border evoked memories for them or how they are going to recreate elements in their own space was wonderful Even when the heavens opened we still had visitors making their way up to see the borders I myself loved looking at the gardens and talking to the designers, taking inspiration from so many fantastic spaces I also got to meet so many of the gardengram community which was totally amazing
Break down
Sunday was a sad day, the show was over in a blink of an eye and before I knew it, it was time to take it apart. Months of planning and prep, three and a half days building and it was gone within an hour and a half.
Schools garden
Since the show, I’ve been working with two schools to help update some tired looking areas within their grounds. The enthusiasm and creativity the children have shown has been brilliant and I can’t wait to see the finished areas. Inspiring the next generation to get outdoors and learn in nature. Learning about nature was a key element within the border design and I’m so glad that it has a second life carrying on that message.
A team effort
Although the design had my name on it, the border was created by so many people. It could not have happened without family, friends, amazing suppliers, donations and kind souls
Many people have asked what’s next, would I do it again? That’s a massive question and one I can’t answer at the moment.
However, a question I can answer is … Did I enjoy it? Absobloominlutely!
By Kim O’Brien @dahliafarmerama
I attended my first ever garden show at BBC Gardener’s World live in Birmingham in 1999 I tagged along mainly to keep my mum, an experienced horticulturalist and grower, company, but even at that young age (even though I wouldn’t have admitted it) I was developing a growing passion for gardening
I distinctly remember walking around the show and marvelling at the plants, flowers and displays, all of which were of course, awe inspiring When I reached the showcase gardens I was gripped by a strange sensation and it shook me. Immediately I experienced an intense burning in my stomach and throat (not reflux) but an unexpected desire to create a showcase garden. I remember telling myself that somehow, one day, I would design a show garden here and I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.I had no idea how or when it would happen, only a categoric certainty that it would With no background in design and only a love of science and maths, the enormity of feeling that I would one day design a garden at the NEC was a defining moment in my early years and one I have never forgotten
Fast forward to January 2024, and with a Gold medal for my BBC Gardener’s world Autumn Fair garden under my belt, I’m creating the finishing touches to my design for a Beautiful border for BBC GW live at Birmingham. Initially, there were discussions about designing a showcase garden, but starting a new job a few weeks earlier and needing to focus on getting to grips with that , I decided to make a submission in the former category.Design accepted, we then proceeded to plan and build the beautiful border
Maths and geometry have always fascinated me There is so much beauty in pure mathematics, and I believe it’s the hidden mathematical codes in Dahlias that first attracted me to their stunning blooms
The theme for the beautiful borders was ‘Share my space ’ and this got me thinking about combining shared physical space (eg a space to sit) which shared mental space and being on another person ’ s wavelength The title ‘On my wavelength’ was born and the starting point of the design just had to be a mathematical sine wave, sweeping through the border and evoking the electrical waves of the brain and the waves of a body of water. Owing to Birmingham being central in England, the design became inland beachinspired, so we took seaside features, such as groynes, and gave them an inland feel, transforming them into birch bee posts and so on.
The planting was largely blue penstemons, purple delphiniums and salvias, and green miscanthus which collectively represented a body of water This was punctuated by orange salvias and geums that represented aquatic life within Other features that added to the inland beach theme including a boatshaped succulent ladder (perfect for balconies), a gently trickling rockpool stream, a limestone patio (which will be relocated to a greenfingers charity hospice) and a pair of vintage deckchairs which were so popular they almost broke Instagram!! Our heartfelt pride and joy was the backdrop of log slices which were painted by the wonderful people who work in and use in the garden where I am lucky enough to be lead gardener.
Every design was representative of a thought, experience or message of positivity central to each individual’s story (because we all have one) and these came together to form a representative network of the community of people who created them. The installation will be relocated to the community garden to be enjoyed by those who poured their hearts into creating it Those are the presiding features and my team were confident in how the design came together, but the story doesn’t end there 24 hours before judging, we were presented with an amazing opportunity to leave the beautiful borders category and throw our hat into the ring with the professional designers and landscapers in the Showcase garden category!
This meant being judged on the same criteria as the gardens who had been on site for up to 3 weeks, using diggers, cranes and had some serious budgets We had rocked up 4 days prior with some shovels and trowels and some tree branches strapped to the ladder rack of a van! Obviously we went for it! Feet first!
It should have been nerve-wracking, but with everything to play for and nothing to lose, we were just so excited to be assessed in this new category, and honestly, that was reward enough for our efforts. However, our calculated risk paid off and we were thrilled to be awarded a Silver Merit as a showcase garden! In fact, we were all utterly stunned and I don’t think the enormity of what we had achieved really sank in until a day or two after the award was announced.
I am indebted to my fabulous team, Mario, Aoife, Chris, Jamie, Simon, John and Nic who absolutely knocked the socks off this beautiful border – turned show garden build Never say never take a risk follow your heart and go for it! Trust me, you won’t regret it
Himalayan Balsam can look beautiful.
By Pete Compston @pendleplantcraft
Embrace the Beauty, Conquer the Threat: Uniting Against Himalayan Balsam
Strolling along the banks of a picturesque river, the sun gently kissing your skin as you breathe in the crisp, fresh air, the landscape is adorned with a breathtaking display of pink flowers, standing tall and proud against the backdrop of lush greenery This is the beauty of Himalayan Balsam, a plant that captivates the senses and lures us into its enchanting embrace
However, beneath its stunning exterior lie numerous hidden threats that jeopardise the very ecosystem it inhabits Our battle must begin before these beautiful flowers turn to seed Their explosive nature will result in spreading the plant even further if we wait until then They can fire seeds as far as four meters, often into waterways, spreading further downstream These seeds are a delicious part of the plant to eat, having a delightful nutty taste (just be sure to harvest them mindfully, so as not to add to the spread of it).
Throughout its life, every part of the plant is edible. The cotyledon leaves are my favourite, when the young sprouts first poke through the ground. As with all wild plants, you should research it and its potential effects before you eat any part of the plant. Some parts of Himalayan Balsam contain calcium oxalate crystals, so it’s not to be eaten raw in excessive amounts However, cooking will break these oxalate crystals down People who suffer from arthritis, kidney or bladder stones, gout, hyperacidity, and rheumatism are advised against consuming Himalayan Balsam
Himalayan Balsam, with its beautiful, snapdragon-like flowers, brings a sea of pink to our riverbanks in the summer It stands tall, sometimes reaching over two meters Its rapid growth and prolific seed production (each plant capable of producing up to 800 seeds with an 80% germination success rate) make it a formidable adversary to native flora Despite its attractiveness, the destructiveness of Himalayan Balsam outweighs its aesthetic appeal This non-native species has wreaked havoc on our riverbanks, outcompeting native plants and disrupting delicate ecosystems Introduced to Britain from India in 1839, its exploding seeds quickly escaped gardens, and it is now established as an invasive species across most of the world. It is most commonly found along waterways and very damp areas but can grow in drier areas.
Some beekeepers might argue that it provides a valuable nectar source later in the year, but this benefit is overshadowed by the broader ecological consequences. The plant's nectar might be comparable to fast food for pollinators, offering quick nourishment but lacking the comprehensive nutrition that native plants provide. Additionally, the preference of pollinators for Himalayan Balsam over native plants means that the latter are not being pollinated effectively, further endangering their survival Our natives, given the chance, would provide as much nectar later in the year Also, when the pollinators are coming out of winter, those early spring nectar providers would do better in Himalayan Balsam's absence
The shallow roots of Himalayan Balsam leave riverbanks vulnerable to erosion and flooding When the plant dies down at the end of the year, it leaves the soil exposed and unstable, leading to the destruction of habitat along riverbanks and increased sedimentation in rivers and streams This disrupts aquatic habitats and can result in the loss of biodiversity
The battle against Himalayan Balsam is one we can all join, and it promises to be an immensely rewarding experience Picture yourself amidst a group of like-minded individuals, of all ages, united by a common purpose and a shared love for the great outdoors Together, we embark on a journey to rid our riverbanks of this invasive species, not just for the sake of biodiversity, but for our own well-being too
The shallow roots of Himalayan Balsam make it easy to pull up, offering gentle exercise and an enormous sense of achievement. Large patches can be cleared in very little time, making a significant impact with minimal effort. It's not just about pulling weeds – it's about forging connections, fostering a sense of belonging, and finding solace in the beauty of nature. It really is a fun and satisfying activity to do alone or with friends.
orld where many people spend considerable amounts of money on nature s, it's refreshing to find that connecting with nature can be as simple as a community effort to remove invasive plants. Engaging in activities like removal allows participants to experience the numerous benefits of ng time in nature, including reduced stress levels, improved mood, and ed mental clarity.
ting our hands dirty and working towards a common goal, we can n our connection to the natural world Understanding symbiosis – the nnectedness and mutual dependence of all living things – is central to the ach By actively participating in the restoration of natural habitats, we can about the delicate balance of ecosystems and our role within them This dge fosters a sense of responsibility and stewardship, encouraging us to ack to nature as much as we receive Spending time in nature is how we ce our connection to it Being a steward to it is how we create our tion to nature This is one thing we can come together and have an on, giving back to nature in a way it desperately calls out to us for our ith
w can you get involved? It's simple Grab as many mates, family, loved and community members as you can. Equip yourselves with gloves and g to avoid nettle stings, a sturdy pair of boots, and a sense of adventure. o your nearest riverbank and look for the tall, pink-flowered invaders. Pull p by the roots, being careful to remove the entire plant to prevent re. The plants will re-root at the nodes along their stems, so make big piles m, scrunching them up as best as possible. This way, the plants at the top pile can’t reach the ground, and the plants at the bottom won’t get the t. They will soon break down, given their high-water content, putting rful nutrients back into the soil.
e of our regular Balsam Bashing sessions with Pendle Plant Craft, where n learn all you need to know about identifying and removing Himalayan Our community events include balsam removal outings, nature walks, eed bomb-making sessions to engage participants of all ages and ounds Offering insights into native plant identification, biodiversity vation, sustainable gardening practices, and the culinary and medicinal native plants You’ll learn all about our surroundings while we do it and e the plants we can introduce later in the year by harvesting and ing native seed in areas we've cleared of Balsam
Imagine the satisfaction of clearing a section of riverbank, knowing that your efforts are directly contributing to the restoration of native habitats. The sense of achievement and well-being that comes from working with others towards a common goal is immeasurable. By fostering a community spirit, we can create lasting bonds and inspire others to take action. Help us build something meaningful, raising awareness for what a multi-layered, solution-focused, myriad of benefits opportunity this is. Join our sessions, learn the ropes, and take the knowledge back to your own communities.
If you work for or with any kind of support service that you think could gain benefit from group sessions, please do get in touch at pendleplantcraft@gmail.com. We would be happy to chat about joining you in your locale to help you get sessions set up. Let’s pull together, quite literally, to create a healthier, more vibrant ecosystem for all.
Whether you ’ re an experienced gardener or a nature enthusiast looking for a new way to connect with the environment, balsam bashing offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact By becoming active participants in the preservation of our natural world, we not only improve our physical landscapes but also enhance our mental and emotional well-being
Join Balsam Busters today and be part of the change our world needs Let’s create a brighter, greener future, one plant at a time Together, we can embrace our connection to nature, understand the principles of symbiosis, and become active stewards of the environment
Let’s pull together, quite literally, to create a healthier, more vibrant ecosystem for all
By Emanuelle Paulson @emanuellepaulson
It may surprise you to learn that summer is in fact a bit of a lean time for the forager A lot of the leafy greens from spring are looking tatty from the sun and some can taste quite bitter too; the ground isn’t damp enough for many mushrooms to be popping up and the tree nuts are nowhere near ripe Don’t despair though, there is still plenty to find and learn about! Additionally, for the gardener/forager, this is the perfect crossover period when your garden may make up the shortfall in limited foraging, with greens, courgettes and beans galore
Although it isn’t a time for huge hauls of foraged goods, this time of year is perfect for flowers and herbs for teas and for drying. You can find pineapple mayweed and wild chamomile on the edges of most fields and these are both lovely used fresh and dried as a herbal tea. June is the perfect month for picking lime flowers too. This isn’t the citrus tree you might be thinking of, rather the flower from linden trees (Tilia sp.). They have a delightful delicate honey-like smell and flavour. Used around the world as a calming night-time tea, you can pick and dry the flowers with their leaf-like bracts and use them all year round. When they are in bloom you can just nibble the flowers straight from the tree too! They have a gentle nutty flavour.
If you ’ re lucky, you may still be able to find a few elderflower heads on the trees. It’s been a really good year for elderflower so far, with their big umbels of heavily scented flowers Perfect for cordial, or my favourite simple way to use them; infused in honey! Simply cover your picked off elderflower (no green stems) in honey and let it sit for a minimum of 24 hours The honey will preserve the blooms, getting infused with that delightful scent and flavour and can be used however you would regular honey!
• A handful of rose petals
• Some gin
• A jar for infusing
1. Pick your rose petals (ideally fairly early on a sunny day so they have plenty of fragrance) and just check them over and pick out any debris or bugs
2. Pack your rose petals tightly into a jar.
3. Pour over your gin (or any other alcohol) and close the jar.
4. Leave to infuse for at least a few days, I usually leave mine a week or two.
5. Strain out the petals and store the alcohol in an airtight jar or bottle The alcohol should preserve itself after being infused but you can choose to keep it in the fridge if you prefer
Another well-loved flower from the garden that we can also forage is the rose There are so many types of roses, from standard to rambling to our native wild dog rose Their petals can all be used in the same way, just check they haven’t been sprayed with anything I love tossing the petals through a salad, topping cakes with them, or for a fun summer drink, try infusing them into alcohol
Sticking with the summer garden party theme, now is the ideal time to forage your summer fruits (I’m thinking wild Eaton mess?!) Wild strawberries, raspberries, cherries and bilberries are easy to identify and pick, growing abundantly in rural and urban environments Bilberries (wild blueberries) are only found in acid soils so if you ’ re lucky enough to be somewhere like the Lake District, Scotland or the Cornish moors (among many other places these are just the places I’ve found them), you ’ re very likely to find bilberries growing. Wild strawberries can only really be confused for mock strawberry, but there are a few identification differences. Rather than having white flowers, mock strawberry flowers are yellow and the fruits are more spherical, sitting upright on funny little green star-shaped stalks, rather than hanging down (see photo comparison). They aren’t dangerous to eat, they just taste bland!
Note: to make this alcohol-free, you can try using alcohol free gin or vodka, but please note that without the alcohol as a preservative, there is slightly more risk of the infusion going off I would recommend infusing for less time and keeping it in the fridge, as well as using it up within a week or two This is the perfect drink for a summer occasion, just prepare a couple of days beforehand and serve with soda or lemonade and a few rose petals to garnish!
For the urban forager, the herbs will be popping up abundantly in community gardens, escapees from veg patches and in street cracks Look for oregano, mint and creeping thyme Rosemary and lavender are growing happily in our warmer sunny months too Wild thyme can be found on many of our mountain sides and can make a lovely fresh tea as well as being used in cooking (think med veg baking tray or whipped feta/cashew cream served with grilled courgettes - delish!)
As well as herbs and flowers, we are getting into seed season! The nuts are still a while away, but plantain seeds (Plantago sp.), nettle seeds and common hogweed seeds will soon be ready to harvest If you are foraging for nettle seeds, make sure you find the female plants (thick tassels of angular green seeds rather than straggly little ones) and do note that at this time of the year it is not recommended to eat nettle leaves due to toxin buildup in the leaves. Common hogweed seeds provide a totally unique flavour profile to both savoury and sweet meals, just make sure you can identify the plant correctly as it is in the Apiaceae family which contains some toxic and deadly members Take care to learn the difference between common hogweed and giant hogweed too, the latter being a much bigger, more dangerous relation that can cause serious injury). Plantain seeds are easy to harvest and can provide a nice boost of protein sprinkled on top of your morning oats or added into energy balls
you can find will vary so much here you are located and your please do have a wander and see what u can always tag me in your finds on anuellepaulson and I am more than ith identification too The most important safe when foraging so please only ods that you are 100% sure you have tly and do harvest safely and rever you go
ul summer and happy foraging!
An old Irish proverb once said “Laughter is brightest where food is best”! I love this saying because for me, it illustrates the ways we can mindfully use the senses to enjoy our food more. By engaging the senses when preparing and eating food we can truly enliven our snack and meal time experience. Enter edible flowers!
Both a gardener’s delight to grow and equally loved by the pollinators, edible flowers are a real seasonal joy. The bonus is that once sown or planted, many of these flowers readily self-seed offering their bounty year after year. However, these flowers offer more than their simple-to-grow beauty and benefits for bees and insects. Whilst edible flowers are not usually consumed in large quantities, many contain high levels of bioactive plant compounds that not only offer colourful creativity to your plate but also an array of gentle nutritional benefits
