Bees and butterflies

I am not seeing many this year. I heard a bumble bee at the bedroom window this morning but nothing in the garden. I haven't seen any butterflies for a couple of weeks. Is the weather confusing them (first so cold and windy, now a heatwave again)?

Re: Bees and butterflies

I've got plenty of bees in my garden, Annie, but I have not seen many butterflies yet, only one or two.
I used to have a big Buddleia bush outside the back door, but I had to remove it and that has certainly made a difference to the number of butterflies I see now. Pity.

Re: Bees and butterflies

My buddleia Black knight isn't flowering properly yet. I think I need to water it but didn't think of doing so as usually it doesn't need any. You have lots of other lovely flowers for butterflies in your garden Mups.

the butterfly conservation society recommends not using peat compost and deadheading flowers. I haven't checked my compost yet. They also like lavender according to the link. I do have two lavenders in pots. But the big one is only just sprouting.

http://butterfly-conservation.org/12...tterflies.html

Re: Bees and butterflies

I have had lots of brown and yellow butterfies, think they are called Chequered Skipper.

I have also spent the last couple if weeks rescuing bees that come in through the back door and join me in my study.... where I can't open the window....... I have had dozens if them!

Re: Bees and butterflies

I bought a Deutzia (sp?) from the Pound shop...for....(wait for it.....) a quid It has taken a couple of years to grow to a reasonable height, white flowers and it really attracts the bee's, no butterfly's yet ...Buddleia is still growing. My lilies have been attacked by something similar to white fly are are distorted at the growing tip. More successes than failures this year and I am using gallons of water everyday.

Re: Bees and butterflies

I just spotted a bee at my lupins!

Re: Bees and butterflies

There does seem a lot of insects and bugs about Rehab, I agree.
When do you water mostly, in the evening?
I find if I get the hose out just before dusk, every slug in the neighbourhood takes it as an invite. I picked loads off one of the Dahlia's last night, and even my tomatoes had some slithering their way across the compost.

Re: Bees and butterflies

With this current weather I am watering twice a day...early in the morning and evening when most of the garden is in shade, some plants at the front of the house are suffering though because I missed yesterday. My hose doesn't quite reach and humping watering cans is a bit difficult.. I have noticed slugs on the dahlias too.
Gardening is becoming a bit of a battle at the mo

Re: Bees and butterflies

You're not really supposed to do that, Rehab.

Re: Bees and butterflies

Hi

I know very little about birds and butterflies.

I know somewhat more about the birds and the bees.