Page 64 - ALG Issue 2 2021

South West
Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset
REPRESENTATIVE
Mr Neil Dixon
12 Flamstead Crescent, Kings Tamerton, Plymouth PL5 2AX 01752 363379 neildixon@blueyonder.co.uk
MENTOR
Allan Cavill
South West 07748178964 allan.cavill2@gmail.com
Welcome to our new members...
Blandford St Mary Allotment Association Higher Windmill Allotment Co-Op Society Ltd The Living Tree
9 Individuals
2 Landowners
Carharrack Parish Council
Herbs to attract Butterflies and Bees
On summer days it is a delight to stop and take a well-earned rest at the plot, accompanied by the hum of bees busily collecting nectar and to admire the many colours of butterflies flitting between plants. And what better way to attract bees and butterflies onto your plot than by planting a selection of useful herbs. These visitors will be invaluable in pollinating your fruits and vegetables.
Many herbs have a particular attraction for insects with their bright colours, strong scents and nectar laden flowers. Bees are attracted to colour rather than scent at first, particularly yellow, blue and purple while butterflies home in on strong sweet aromas.
Historically, beehives were kept in large herbal monasteries and gardens. The rich golden honey was a very important commodity, valued not only as part
of the diet, but also for its medicinal qualities. St Ambrose, the patron saint of beekeepers, was often celebrated in rituals and on feast days.
GETTING STARTED...
Choose the sunniest spot on your allotment and, if possible, add some shelter with a lavender (Lavandula sps) and Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) bush – both are strongly scented herbs and great for culinary use: lavender in shortbread biscuits, rosemary in bread.
The following herbs will give flowers from early spring to late autumn, providing a continuous food supply
and encouraging pollinating visitors throughout the year. A large patio stone encourages butterflies to land and bask in sunshine, warming their wings before flight.
Lemon balm (melissa officinalis) has very aromatic leaves. Some beekeepers believe the scent calms the bees and so they rub their hands and clothes with this herb before working with a hive.
Easy to grow annuals such as pot marigold (calendula officinalis) and nasturtium with their bright orange, yellow and red flowers are great to scatter throughout the vegetable rows and are great companion plants. Paler colours are provided by clumps of garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) with white globular flowerheads, and the small drooping blooms of comfrey (syphytum officinale). Summer and winter savory (satureja montana) have small white flowers which insects find attractive. Both these herbs are the perfect companion to beans. There is a wide selection of mints available; favourites of bees are spearmint, apple mint and pineapple mint (mentha spp).
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and marjoram (origanum vulgare), both essential culinary herbs, have strongly scented
Herbs are
so easy to grow; they need little attention apart from de-heading and cutting back at the end of the season
leaves and are a magnet for bees.
The annual borage (Borago officinalis) with star shaped blue blooms is a joy scattered amongst summer crops. The edible flowers are used in salads. Its common name is bee borage.
A sage bush (salvia officinalis) is a great bee and butterfly plant. It was traditionally used to make herb beer, flavour wine and perfume soap. There are silver, golden or purple varieties.
Herbs are so easy to grow; they need little attention apart from de-heading and cutting back at the end of the season.
By adding herbs to your plot, you
can encourage a variety of insects by providing a diverse habitat. So, grab a butterfly book and see how many you can identify.
Neil Birrell
64 Allotment and Leisure Gardener