Habitat Aid
 
plants and seeds:  nectar plants: shade loving
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shade loving


Nectar Plants for Shade

Comfrey                 Cranesbills                  Foxgloves                  Lungwort                  Sweet Box

All these plants are very good for bumblebees in particular; half the profit on the sale of most of them we give to the the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, who have a helpful plant list on their website. You'll find we sell most of them, including the native plants, and many can also be found in our herb collections.



Comfrey (Symphytum)
This vigorous perennial will tolerate deep shade and provide useful groundcover. Bumblebees love its small bell shaped flowers.
Flowers: March - May
Soil type: Fertile, well drained
Minimum purchase : 3

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Cranesbill (Geranium)
Vivid and pretty small flowers all summer, held above foliage. Naturalised from central Europe. Very useful groundcover - tolerant of most conditions (we have Dusky Cranesbill in deep shade) and attracting a surprising number of insects.
Flowers: June - September
Soil type: Fertile, well drained
Minimum purchase : 3

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Foxglove (Digitalis)
Biennial, highly toxic if eaten. Beautiful tall spikes of purple flowers, with spotted markings leading pollinating insects inside. A prolific nectar source for bumblebees, and a food plant for moth and butterfly caterpillars.
Flowers: May - July
Soil type: Moist, humus rich
Minimum purchase : 3

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Lungwort (Pulmonaria)
Pretty funnel shaped flowers changing from pink to blue, leaves have white spots - hence one of its synonyms, "Mary-spilt-the-milk". Will grow in very shady spots.
Flowers: February - May
Wildlife: Bumblebees, butterflies, moths
Soil type: Moist but well drained
Minimum purchase : 3

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Sweet box (Sarcococca)
Sarcococca is a useful small evergreen, flourishing in shady difficult corners, flowering in the depths of winter and smelling of honey. Good cover for small birds, and forage for honey bees on a warm February day.
Flowers: February-March
Soil type: Fertile, moist, well drained
Minimum purchase : 1

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