Grower’s digest - March 2019

Pollinators need not be too solitary

The solitary bee is the name given to a group of several species that do not produce honey or live in a colony. However, while they may not produce the sweet stuff for your breakfast table, they are essential in the pollination of plants and flowers in the garden.

Install a solitary beehive, such as this ‘Urban’ model from Truffaut two metres above the ground on a wall, garden shed or fence. Direct it southeast to expose it to the morning sun.

Made of ecological and sustainable materials, and with many holes drilled for insects to nest in, it costs. €29.95.

www.truffaut.com

A Japanese impression

Make like Monet in your garden with a Japanese-style wooden bridge to cross a stream or section of pond.

Constructed in pine from sustainably managed forests, this one from Planfor weighs 53kg, measures 1.8m x 0.8m x 1m (L x W x H) and comes with a warranty of 15 years above ground and 10 years in contact for the section in contact the ground.

Free shipping in Metropolitan France, price €359 available from www.planfor.fr

Insta-jardins

Social media app Instagram is a brilliant way to enjoy other people’s gardens in France, with everyone from chateau visitors to chambre d’hôtes owners posting seasonal snaps of their gardens (users can search using the hashtag #jardins).

This month’s selection features spring flowers in the garden in Balagne, Corsica, as captured by santambroggiostudiocorse