Attracting Bees and other pollinating insects

[killerflies]

Hi there!

Besides Thyme and Borage, are there any other good insect attractors for a patio?

Last summer could have been better in tem sof insects on a second floor level and so my beans and courgettes did not glut as expected!

Thanks!

[killerflies]

[Barnowl]

I think "poached egg" (Limnanthes Douglasii) plants are meant to be quite attractive to beneficial insects.

[Rob08]

Bee Balm might be worth considering.  It also has a lovely lemony flavour so goes well as a minor addition to salads and makes a great tea too.

[manicscousers]

chives, both ordinary and garlic, when left to flower bring all sorts of good insects in, and if you let coriander flower, that brings in lots of hoverflies, they kill off the nasties as well as pollinating things  :)

[killerflies]

Deadly! Thanks. Im putting in an order for some seeds these next few days, so Ill see if I can source some of those.

Many thanks indeed!

[manicscousers]

I buy coriander from the supermarket, cut two thirds off to use and baby the rest on the windowsill, ready to be planted out..saves buying a whole packet  ;D

[VP]

Bees love lavender and it looks nice in a pot on the patio...

[mikey]

Fragrant Sweet Peas  ....

I grow them up the same Canes as Runner and Climbing French Beans
not for pollination but because they look and smell great

Read somewhere that Sweet Peas attract Hoverflies which in turn devour Green/White/Black fly

[Robert_Brenchley]

Cut some of bamboo into short lengths with a node (the solid bit) ibn the middle and the ends open. If you just saw out alternate nodes, that's the easiest way. Tie them into bundles, and put them under the eaves of a shed or something similar, with the canes horizontal. You'll soon find solitary bees using them to nest. Make some bumblebee nesters. Most of the carrot family are good for attracting insects, so are sedums. There's a page here; it's US based, but the plants are all easily obtainable.

http://gardening.about.com/od/attractingwildlife/a/Bee_Plants.htm

[GrannieAnnie]

If you like herbal tea try growing Agastache ( anise hyssop) which was a first in our garden in 2007 and always had insects and bumble bees flying to it. The leaves and purple flowers make an anise flavored tea and a tad of sugar in it brings out the flavor better. I dried some and also froze some in ice cubes for a fresh winter tea. One plant was enough for me all summer as it branches out.