Britain’s beleaguered bees and other pollinating insects are set to benefit from a new Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) campaign. The charity is launching the ‘RHS Perfect for Pollinators’ list to help gardeners select plants that will play a role in addressing the decline of certain insects. The RHS will be working with the trade to provide point-of-sale material and make the logo available for the trade to use.
The ‘RHS Perfect for Pollinators’ label was developed when writer and broadcaster Sarah Raven approached the charity with the innovative idea of flagging up to gardeners plants most suitable for pollinators. The RHS had been working on a research project looking at plants for bugs and was excited by Sarah’s idea that a label might get the public and trade more involved.
For the list of plants that are perfect for pollinators, go to the RHS website.
The heathers included in it, and their seasons, are
- winter heath (Erica carnea): late winter / spring
- Irish heath (Erica erigena): late winter / spring
- Darley Dale heath (Erica × darleyensis): late winter / spring
- bell heather (Erica cinerea): summer
- Cornish heath (Erica vagans): summer / autumn
- ling or Scotch heath (Calluna vulgaris): summer / autumn