Photo: Alamy/PA.
to your nectar-rich container plants in late winter and early spring.The nodding heads of hellebores, which appear at that time, not only provide a subtle hue to any arrangement, but are also a good food source for emerging queen bumblebees. Winter-flowering heathers such as Erica carnea ‘Winter Snow’ are among the hardiest of dwarf evergreen shrubs and are ideal for brightening up winter containers, as well as being a magnet for early-flying bumble bees Hedging - Hedges make great shelter and provide food for birds, and now is a great time to plant species such as yew and hawthorn, before the ground gets too hard.You’ll save money by opting for bare-rooted hedging or rootballed trees and shrubs, says the RSPB. Lawns - You may think they’ve gone out of fashion, but in late autumn and early winter, lawns can be invaluable to blackbirds and song thrushes, who venture on to your grass in search of leatherjackets (the larvae of craneflies), earth worms and fallen fruit, the RSPB adds. Longer grass provides shelter and egg-laying opportunities for the insects on which birds and other wildlife feed Consider leaving the dandelions in your lawn, which provide nectar and pollen in late winter and early spring, when queen bumblebees are coming out of hibernation. Think about the future Looking ahead, shrubs like honeysuckle, lavender and ivy can all be planted in autumn and are ideal for providing food and coverage for birds, insects and other wildlife, according to specialists The Greenhouse People (greenhousepeople.co.uk). Some bee varieties can still be seen around your garden in autumn, as they prepare to enter their hibernation phase in winter.Autumn flowering plants which provide a great source of pollen when food supplies are tougher to come by include Japanese anemones, red cauli and crocosmia, which are still blooming in a warm autumn
Photo: Alamy/PA.
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