Alan Titchmarsh, the renowned gardening expert, has issued a warning to gardeners about growing carnations in their gardens. The TV legend, known for his practical gardening advice since his days on BBC’s Ground Force, now presents Love Your Garden on ITV1 and ITVX with co-stars Frances Tophill, Yorkshire’s Katie Rushworth and David Domoney.
In one episode, Alan revealed that he is now ‘very conscious’ of choosing certain types of flowers over others to aid insects, and even eliminating some entirely. He advised viewers to plant more single-petal flowers such as daisies, dahlias and scabious instead of ‘double flowers’ like roses, lilac, carnations and peony, reports The Express.
Alan told ITV1 viewers: “I’m very conscious when we plant gardens at the moment to make sure we’ve got lots of pollinators. Our insect population in the UK which is vital to the wellbeing of every single living thing: plants, flowers, humans animals, with double flowers everywhere and lack of flower and nectars, they’ve got nothing to feed on.
“So we have lots of single flowers in my borders such as scabious which they love. Single flowers have one row of daisy-like petals around the nectar-rich centre whereas double flowers have layer upon layer of petals which make pollen collection too tricky.”
He then went on to describe several flowers he had added to the borders with clear and easy to access nectar in the middle “because that feeds the insects”.
Wildlife gardening experts advise choosing blooms with simple structures to create a welcoming space for vital pollinators. The Wildlife Trust explains: “Many of our prettiest insects feed on nectar, so need flowering plants for their survival. Butterflies, moths, bees and hoverflies all need sources of nectar and pollen to thrive. As they travel from flower to flower, they also pollinate them, enabling them to set seed or bear fruit. So, setting up a nectar café benefits both your plants and you, allowing you to enjoy the flitting and fluttering of beautiful butterflies.”
The organisation also suggests: “Choose flowers with a simple (often flat) structure, like old cottage varieties, as they are the easiest for insects to feed from.”
In addition, Love The Garden notes: “Insects, birds and small animals play a vital role in helping a healthy garden thrive. It’s important to encourage them into your garden and give them an environment that keeps them coming back time after time. The benefits from inviting wildlife into your garden range from a reduction in soil-borne disease to fruit, veg plants being pollinated more effectively and less ‘problem pests’ than before.”
Alan Titchmarsh issued a warning on ITV1’s Love Your Garden on Tuesday night
(Image: (Image: ITV1))