Eight-year study urges gardeners to grow ivy for pollinators

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 11:34 · Archive

An eight-year study found ivy attracted more pollinating insects than any other common garden flower.

An eight-year study by the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme has identified ivy as the plant most visited by pollinating insects including bees and butterflies. Citizen scientists across the UK recorded insect visits to 14 common flowers during the study, with ivy's late-summer and autumn blooms consistently attracting the highest numbers.

Butterfly Conservation has urged gardeners to grow ivy, describing it as an important resource for breeding Holly Blue butterflies and supporting Commas and Red Admirals. Jo Milborrow, butterfly monitoring officer at Butterfly Conservation, said the findings provide valuable information about pollinators' favourite flowers and help people take action at home. Other plants ranked highly for attracting insects included hogweed, bramble, buddleja, knapweeds and thistle.

Buddleja, known as the butterfly bush, attracted four times as many butterflies and moths as other top plants. However, Butterfly Conservation cautioned against widespread planting of buddleja due to its non-native and invasive nature. The scheme is coordinated by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, with support from organisations including Butterfly Conservation, and has gathered data since 2017.

How it is being reported

• Gardeners urged to grow one common plant after surprising 8 year studyUK gardeners urged to grow ivy after an eight-year study found its flowers attracted more bees.Oxford Mail · 14 Oct, 11:13
• Gardeners urged to grow one common plant after surprising 8 year studyUK gardeners urged to grow ivy after an eight-year study found its flowers attracted more bees.Oxfordshire Guardian · 14 Oct, 11:13

In this story: Butterfly Conservation · UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme · UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology · Joint Nature Conservation Committee

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