#putpollinatorsfirst – the wasp

The worms have spent some time looking at different pollinating insects, this week we are sharing them and the plants they like.

Wasps? OK they’re not on the friendly list, like hoverflies. A world without wasps would be a world with a very much larger number of insect pests on our crops and in our gardens.

Wasps pollinate #penstemons #acers #achilleas #euphorbia #eryngiums #ivy #figs

poster about pollinating wasps and the plants they like

Just like bees, wasps are important for pollinating our flowers and crops. But beyond bees, wasps also regulate populations of crop pests such as caterpillars and whiteflies.

Most wasps have short tongues and look for shallow blooms. They can’t see the color red either, but can see UV light. That means they are more attracted to white and yellow blooms – lawn daisies, for example.

It’s quite clear that as we evolve more and more of the pollinating insects that we cohabit with are in decline, for a variety of reasons. It’s becoming increasingly important to think about new ways to support and look after our pollinators. That’s where our gardens come in. We can manage these habitats, introduce a diversity of plants and flowers and provide the environment for pollinators to thrive

Follow our blog to get more daily gardening cartoons, ideas, daily tasks and tips of what you can do now in your #garden

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The wrigglers are amateur gardeners, for advice from the experts on plants pollinating insects thrive on, try The RHS – they know what they’re talking about!

Find Plants for Pollinators

Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. One way gardeners can help is by planting garden flowers that provide forage for a wide variety of pollinating insects

Using scientific evidence, our extensive experience and the records of gardeners and beekeepers, we’ve selected a range of year-round flowering Plants for Pollinators to tackle the decline in pollinator numbers.

The Wrigglers have joined the #putpollinators first Campaign

Wild flower meadows flower for longer due to the diverse range of plants in them. That’s more flowers for you, and more food for the bees and insects. Plant one and join the Gardener’s World Put Pollinators First campaign – raising awareness of the decline of our pollinators @GWmagazine

Click to see our ‘Put Pollinators First’ page

Gardener’s world launched its #putpollinatorsfirst campaign, as part of their 30th Anniversary celebrations of BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. See what you can do to play your part:

Join in the Gardener’s World team and pledge here

With a panel of pollinator experts, committed to helping bees and other pollinating insects to thrive, Dr Trevor Dines says, ” Since the 1930’s, over 97 percent of our wildflower meadows have been destroyed. That’s 7.5 million acres, gone. Now you can understand why our pollinators are in such trouble.”

There are 3 ideas:

Sow some pollinator meadow seeds

Create habitats for butterflies, moths and caterpillars

Make a cornfield nectar bar

By making a meadow, even on a small scale, we can provide a banquet for pollinators that’ll help them to thrive.

Here are some seed suppliers and links:

Dobies

Thomson and Morgan – how to sow wildflower seeds

RHS – How to grow a mini wild flower meadow