Study identifies ivy as top plant for attracting pollinators

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 12:02 · Archive

An eight-year UK study found ivy attracted more bees and butterflies than other common garden flowers.

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

Butterfly Conservation, which supports the scheme, is urging gardeners to grow ivy today. Jo Milborrow, butterfly monitoring officer at Butterfly Conservation, said the results provide 'valuable information about pollinators' favourite flowers, helping people all over the country take action at home to support butterflies, moths and other insects'. She noted that ivy is an important resource for breeding Holly Blue butterflies and nectaring Commas and Red Admirals.

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 the other top plants. However, Butterfly Conservation cautioned against widespread planting of buddleja because it is non-native and invasive. Growing other supportive plants such as nasturtiums for caterpillars is also recommended as a simple and effective action.

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.Malvern Gazette · 14 Oct, 11:35
• 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.Worcester News · 14 Oct, 11:35

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

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem