Plant a window box

It makes a lovely display and will be a good source of food for insects

What to plant

• Simple, open-faced flowers are a much better source of nectar than cultivated, modern varieties. Poached egg flowers are really easy to grow and will attract some friends: hoverflies and lacewings will love them and they’ll do you a favour by eating aphids and other pests.
• A box of bulbs flowering early in the spring can prove useful for any bumblebees that have woken up early. Crocuses, snowdrops and grape hyacinth are all good choices.
• If you have space, plant some sunflowers for the birds. They love the seeds in autumn.
• Bees love clover flowers, catmint and lavender.

Keep it green year round

• If your window is shady, try growing ferns or winter-flowering heathers.
• Rosemary or trailing ivy provides good shelter for insects year-round. Ladybirds will find it useful protection.

Maintenance

• Watering is the most important maintenance of all. Containers dry out quickly so frequent watering is essential, especially in summer. If your window box doesn’t catch any rain, don’t forget to quench its thirst regularly.
• If your window is dry and sunny, plant woody, Mediterranean plants such as lavender and thyme which can cope with sunny conditions.
• Use mulch to help keep it damp – compost, manure, bark chips or even gravel.