Growers to learn which plants are good for biodiversity

18:05 19th November 2009

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has revealed that a study is underway at its Garden Wisley site into how different plants attract insects to the garden.

It explained that the three-year project kicked off in spring 2009 and will look specifically at the role of native, near-native and exotic plants in boosting biodiversity.

The information gained from the study will be used to educate garden and greenhouse enthusiasts on the best plants to choose to encourage more invertebrates into their soil.

Helen Bostock, a horticultural advisor at the RHS, explained: "The average garden contains around 70 per cent non-native plants, but their role in supporting wildlife is unclear."

She added that the findings could be important in dictating which types of plants are grown in UK gardens in future.

The study will focus on whether insects are only drawn to native or near-native varieties or if there is a place for exotic species in UK green spaces.

Meanwhile, the RHS recently revealed that a new species of wasp discovered in the UK for the first time could help combat whitefly numbers.