Gardeners across the UK are being urged to plant lavender in their front or back gardens this August.
While August is not the normal month to plant the pungent purple flower, an urgent call has been made to gardeners to help do something to boost bumblebee numbers.
Thanks to the soggy summer with torrential rain throughout June and most of July, anecdotal observations from gardeners up and down the country have suggested that insect numbers, especially bees and butterflies, are even lower than ever this year thanks to a lack of sunny weather during their usual mating season.
And now hot heatwave conditions threaten to make matters worse for bumblebees, which are more equipped to deal with cooler climates than the scorching 30-32C temperatures we’ve had in the past week.
That’s why gardeners are being asked to plant flowers which bumblebees like, ideally in shaded areas – and they go mad for lavender.
The World Wildlife Foundation says: “Bumblebees are crucial for pollinating crops, fruits and plants, and they always make me smile when I see them. They’re vital for maintaining a healthy environment and for our food production.
“Unfortunately, like many insects, bumblebees are in decline due to habitat loss linked to land use change, pesticides, and pollution, all made worse by climate change.
“Bumblebees also have a furry coat and much prefer cooler climates as they can easily overheat and become unable to fly or forage They also struggle in times of extreme heat as the flowers providing them with nectar and pollen may start wilting and drying.”
The WWF adds that “flowering plants in shady areas will be a welcome relief for bumblebees.”
Lavender can be bought from garden centres and even supermarkets throughout the spring summer and even autumn. A flower that’s already grown and just needs to be put in the ground or a raised bed in your garden will be absolutely fine to plant even in August.
You can also take cuttings at the end of August and instantly propagate more flowers for next year.
Bumblebees and bees go nuts for lavender, and it’s not unusual to see as many as 10 to 20 bumblebees on a large patch of lavender.
Garden expert Richard Jackson adds: “Lavender is a classic bee plant and a fantastic plant for every garden for many reasons. When in flower it looks and smells wonderful. It’s a great source of nectar for butterflies and bees. It’s semi-evergreen so it has a structure and a presence through the winter.”
