Nature’s secrets to success

While many edible gardeners focus on fruit and veg, there are plenty of reasons why flowers deserve their own place on the plot

Flowers may seem to just be a decorative feature in a productive garden full of edibles, but there are many beneficial uses to these beautiful plants. Their introduction can bring a wonderful sense of balance to any plot, and you may find that the quality of your harvest is also given a boost. Here we look at some of the different uses of blooms and highlight varieties to try.

Flowers to attract bees

For many crops, such as tomatoes and strawberries, inviting these busy pollinators to visit is crucial for the development of yields. Bees need the nectar that flowers and edible crops produce to make honey, a food source they rely on in the winter months, so including plants that produce plenty of this substance is ideal. They also love brightly-coloured petals, with blue, yellow and purple being most appealing. Flowers with shallow blossoms will attract many different species, so it’s a good idea to keep this in mind if your space is limited and you can only plant a few.

THREE TO TRY

There are plenty of blooms perfect for pollinators, so do some research and choose what appeals to you, but as a starting point, here are three of our favourite bee-and-beasty-friendly plants:

• Lavateras are great plants for attracting bees and other beneficial insects. Hard prune them in late spring and they will return with an abundance of flowers, generally in shades of pink during late summer. They are easy to grow, drought-tolerant and love a sunny position.

• Hardy fuchsias provide a prolific source of nectar to bees during summer and their pendant flowers protect the pollen from the rain. They can be grown as a hedge or on their own and will flower all summer until the frosts arrive in autumn.

• Sedums with their large clusters of small star-shaped flowers provide great feeding platforms for bees. These succulent perennials are very undemanding and like a sunny, free-draining location. There are cultivars now available with blue-green, purple or even variegated foliage for added interest.

Flowers to attract butterflies

While caterpillars aren’t welcomed by growers, butterflies will help pollinate your crops if you provide enough incentive. They’re attracted to large flowers that produce small clusters of blooms, and feed on the nectar to give them energy. As this insect comes into contact with the plant, pollen clings to various parts of its body, and pollination occurs when butterflies move from one flower to another. Blossoms with larger heads act as an ideal landing pad, so include these to make it as easy as possible for these bugs to benefit your plot. Bear in mind that they’re attracted to red, purple, pink, orange and yellow colours.

THREE TO TRY

There is something for every size and style of garden, and with just a little care these plants will offer so many wonderful benefits to your space, as well as the butterflies living there!

• Buddleja ‘Buzz Indigo’ – This dwarf patio buddleja will draw butterflies in all summer long.

• Cephalanthus ‘Magical Moonlight’ – The intensely sweet fragrance from its white spherical blooms is irresistible to these insects.

• Creeping phlox – Ideal for edging paths, rockeries and grassy slopes, butterflies love their musky scent.

Flowers for deterring pests

Instead of using harmful chemicals on the plot, try introducing a few different flower varieties that are well-known for keeping pests at bay. Certain blooms give out a scent that may be pleasant to humans, but will also deter unwanted insects. Nematodes that attack edible crops (rather than

those you add on purpose as a form of pest control) also dislike the root systems of certain ornamentals. There is a wide variety to choose from that suit decorative tastes as well as tackling pest problems.

THREE TO TRY

As well as being beautiful, productive, and great for beneficial insects, here are some of our favourite flowers for discouraging certain unwanted critters.

• Dahlias are great for repelling unwanted nematodes and make a lovely garden display. They come in a variety of shapes and colours – try ‘Dandy’ or ‘Redskin’.

• Lavender can be planted to deter moths, fleas and flies, while also attracting beneficial insects. Recommended varieties include ‘Vera’ and ‘Blue Wonder’.

• Marigold is incredibly effective at keeping pests at bay – they repel a large number of harmful bugs including aphids, moths and ants while also looking beautiful on the plot. ‘Sunset Giants’ and ‘Crackerjack’ will make an excellent addition to your growing space and are great all-rounders.

Flowers to attract pest-eating bugs

While some help to deter or distract pests, other flowers can encourage their natural enemies to visit your plot. Ladybirds are well-known for gobbling aphids if given the chance, but they will also feed on the pollen of flat flowers, especially if they are yellow or white in colour. Brightly-coloured petals will attract a range of beneficial insects, including lacewing and parasitic wasps. These bugs won’t do any harm to your crops, but they’ll happily eat a large number of pests and can keep infestations at bay.

THREE TO TRY

Offering these beautiful flowers to helpful garden bugs will do fantastic things for your garden’s all-important eco-system and will help you avoid reaching for nasty chemicals to control pest problems.

• Cornflower – This plant has extra-floral nectaries, which means the leaves release nectar even when the flowers are not blooming. The sugar content is very high at 75 per cent, which makes them irresistible to a wide range of pest-eating insects.

• Bishop’s Flower – This has dainty, white flower heads which look like fine lacework and hover above the green foliage. Not only beautiful, they also attract beneficial insects and draw pests away from the veg garden.

• Oxeye daisy – This is a larval food plant for a host of invertebrates, including a gall mite, 13 types of beetles, 18 flies, 10 bugs, 26 moths and one thrips species. The flower heads are visited by many other insects in search of nectar and pollen, including hoverflies, butterflies, bees and beetles.

As you can see, flowers really do offer so much more than their beauty to the garden, they in fact help to keep your crops happy and thriving, as well as helping to create a balanced eco-system packed with plenty of helpful bugs and beasties to pollinate, assist with pest control and so much more. We’d love to hear about any of your favourite flowers to grow in the edible garden, and why it is you love them! Get in touch on our social media platforms and join the discussion.