Gina Parkinson finds that sometimes it's worth leaving a few plants for the insects.

IT IS almost autumnal as I write, the sky is leaden and the temperatures have dropped astonishingly after the heat we had only a week ago.

Gardens are relieved to get the rain and plants that were really struggling - hydrangeas, for example - have perked up considerably. One of mine has lost its flowers, unfortunately. It is only young and the small signs of blooms have turned too brown for recovery. They will be trimmed off but I suspect it will be too late for more to be produced before the end of the summer.

Although the cooler temperatures have, hopefully temporarily, slowed the activities of garden insects, they have been visiting our garden in increased numbers this year, revelling in the hot July.

We have had many more butterflies than normal, and in my parents' garden in Wetherby last week we spotted a Red Admiral, something I haven't seen for years.

Platoons of hoverflies have been around, feeding on open daisy-like plants such as cosmos, where they can easily access the nectar. Cosmos is an easy-to-grow annual plant with feathery foliage and large flowers in white and shades of pink, which will bloom until the first frosts, so long as regular deadheading is carried out.

Some grow quite tall with sturdy stems and thick foliage, making them an ideal gap-filler when other plants begin to go over.

Insects are also drawn to herbs, so it can be a difficult choice between attracting them to the garden by allowing the plants to flower, or keeping the tasty foliage to eat and removing the buds before they bloom.

As I am unable to resist the flowers of thyme and marjoram, they are always allowed to flower in our garden, as is the fennel. This latter plant is beautiful in bloom, very tall, more than six feet, and topped with flat warm yellow flowers that are covered in insects on a sunny day.

The bronze foliage, which is so good in spring and early summer does fade if the plant is allowed to bloom, but as long as other plants are grown with it the lower stems can be hidden.

Nunnington Hall shows how it should be done

THERE will be two gardening workshops at Nunnington Hall next month. The first, on Friday September 8, entitled Get Your Wellies On - Natural Gardening, will look at how to attract wildlife by creating habitats for birds, insects and mammals, as well as information on how to make compost.

The second, on Friday, October 6, is called Get Your Wellies On - The Promise Of Spring, and will look ahead to next year and planting of bulbs.

Tickets are £7.50 for each workshop, running from 10am-12.30pm. Phone Nunnington Hall on 01439 748283.


Open gardens

Sunday, August 6

In aid of the National Gardens Scheme Maspin House, Hillam Common Lane, Hillam, seven miles west of Selby. A two-acre garden planted for year-round colour with a formal area containing a wide variety of plants, pergola, water features and clipped hedges. There are also wildlife-friendly informal gardens with meadows, orchard and woodland. Open 12noon-5pm. Admission £3. Also open in the evening on Thursday, 5pm-9pm. Admission £4 including wine.

Woodlands Cottage, Summerbridge, ten miles north-west of Harrogate on the B6165. One-acre plantswoman's garden divided into several rooms with varied planting including herb and vegetable areas, a woodland area with rocky outcrops and a wild flower meadow. Open 1.30pm-5pm. Admission £2.

Wednesday

In aid of the National Gardens Scheme Hunmanby Grange, 12.5miles south-east of Scarborough on the road from Burton Fleming to Fordon. Three-acre garden created from an exposed field with hedges and fences providing shelter from the wind. A series of garden rooms planted for year-round colour with seasonal highlights. Open 1pm-5pm. Admission £2.50.

Thursday

In aid of the National Gardens Scheme Maspin House, Hillam, evening opening (details above).


Gardening TV and Radio

Sunday

9am, Radio Leeds, Tim Crowther with Joe Maiden.

2pm, R4, Gardeners' Question Time. From Buckinghamshire where Bob Flowerdew, Chris Bearshaw, Anne Swithinbank and chairman Peter Gibbs answer questions from members of the Amersham Society.

Friday

8pm, BBC2, Gardeners' World Specials. Sarah Raven looks at the healing properties of plants and assembles a domestic first aid kit from garden plants.

Saturday, August 12

8am, Radio York, Gardening Phone-in. With Nigel Harrison, telephone number 0845 300 3000.