Daffodils - Are They Good For Wildlife?

[@karldean5728]

Hi! Thanks for the vids. I'm actually from South Essex but studyng my MSc Ecology at Uni of Gloucestershire, during my undergrad I organised with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust a bulb planting and together we made sure we used native daffodils and crocuses under some silver birch and oaks! (On a more recent note the Uni now also has 105 native trees thanks to our student pressure and the Woodland trust free trees) Glad to see yourself and others making a difference for our wildlife! 🌱

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Karl - thanks so much for this, this is so good to read - every ounce of effort will be rewarded and there will be a lot of grateful wildlife for sure. Do keep me updated on this and best of luck with the MSc, a great subject! Best wishes - Joel

[@slashingbison2503]

I lived in Gloucestershire and was a member of the wildlife trust, I live in Worcestershire now and their approach to wildlife is amazing.

[@SisterDogmata]

I read that the travellers who hop picked down south used to pick the native daffodils and sell them in bunches in spring. Always a lovely sign that spring is on the way but like you say they're pretty sterile now. I grow evening primrose for the pollen beetles and they overflow with the little things. Nice to know not to worry about the dandelions in the lawn. Good excuse to leave them there!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Absolutely! It is thought that part of the decline was down to these being picked in numbers to sell, although it wasn't the main reason for the decline, they were certainly harvested in huge numbers. Evening Primrose is fantastic, I got some lovely time-lapse footage of them "waking up" (!) a little while ago and really must upload it. Couldn't have put it better myself re the dandelions (did you know their name comes from the French, Dent de Lion - Lion's teeth?) they're such a useful and wonderful harbinger of Spring and so important for so many early emerging insects, not sure when "they" decided that these were not acceptable in lawns, they really need champions in enlightening people to how great they are - I'll upload the other video real soon. Thanks so much - Joel

[@SandyKH]

Thanks for the word on this. Sigh. I was in Holland last month and noticed in the gardens that there were no insects at all. It made me quite sad. While I enjoy the cultured ones... it doesn't make sense to me to have bulbs developed in Holland shipped all over the world to have a positive impact on wildlife. Thanks again.

[@sherriianiro747]

From what I learned is that due to hybridizing (like everything else out there) there is little pollen in non - native daffodils. I found if you plant them with crocus the pollinators will go for that instead. Native plants are the best choice for wildlife, disease, drought, and pest resistance, consistent vibrant blooms and will not peter out or change their characteristics in the long run like many hybrids do.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Agreed Sherri, glad you enjoyed this and thanks for this info :) Best wishes - Joel

[@UkAmphibians]

Thanks so much for the mention joel it’s massively appreciated 🐸💚🐸

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

No problem 👍 it's very deserved

[@SOFTCOCOGIRL]

Love these flowers

[@tadblackington1676]

It may not count as wildlife but daffodils play really well with fruit trees. A ring of poisonous daffodils around the base of a fruit tree is said to discourage voles from gnawing on the tree. Beyond that its one of the biggest spring ephemerals. This is important as most of leaching of nutrients out of cool/cold temperate soils occurs in the early spring with the snow melt flushing the soil while most plants are still dormant. But not spring ephemeral which are actively growing and taking up nutrients just as the spring flush is happening. Later the tops will be dying back and releasing their nutrients as the apples are swelling.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

That's great info, thanks so much for this - hope it helps others here too :) Best wishes, Joel

[@kathrynnorman2253]

Hi Joel, as always your videos are informative and interesting :)

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there! Hope you are doing fine :) Thank you, so much - best wishes - Joel

[@1965Ady]

It’s the same with Buddleias in garden centres. They are rarely attractive to Butterflies anymore as they have been that crossed that they don’t come close to the old Buddleias of 40 years ago I had that were a magnet for butterflies and bees and the scent was phenomenal.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I've found this too Ady, must admit I have a few varieties in the garden but not any of the dwarf ones, although I've been tempted in the past - but as you say none do as well at attracting butterflies as the davidii species, the old "railway" buddlejas as I call them, even seen them growing in chimneys before! Not sure if you've seen the buddleja video on the channel but you can see the vast amount of butterfly species on that one specimen. Hope you're doing ok - best wishes, Joel

[@NickSBailey]

That's interesting I've been wondering why the buddelias I have don't really attract butterflies yet plants I had years ago did. I do see a lot of bees on them though. Think I'm going to have to see if I can scrounge some cuttings from a bog standard B. davidii

[@calmmusicforsleep]

Beautiful flowers! Thanks for nice sharing! Have a great weekend! Big like!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you! You too - really appreciate your kind comment, best wishes - Joel

[@george-1961]

Another interesting blog of native plants today Joel . Slowly but surely we are learning from the good work you do for us 👏🏻

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you George, so much. Just trying to edit another video, was hoping to upload tonight but it's a lengthier one so it might be tomorrow. I really appreciate your continued encouragement and support - best wishes, Joel

[@wildlifegardener-tracey6206]

Great information Joel. Thank you.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey Tracey - thank you so much. Have a wonderful (grand) Mother's Day tomorrow :) Best wishes, Joel

[@tahafarooq247]

Watching your videos from Pakistan 🇵🇰,

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Farooq - so glad you have found the channel, welcome! Best wishes to you and yours in Pakistan - Joel

[@tahafarooq247]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton 🤗

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

I'm looking forward to seeing the trail cam footage. 😊 We've got a blackbird collecting worms already! Apparently, there's a 'golden triangle' of wild daffs in Gloucestershire. 😊 It always amusés me when I see the little holes in the buds, telling me a bumble bee has grown impatient for the nectar. 😊 🐝

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Gaina - not sure if you've seen the community post but I got my first footage of the nest box yesterday! ;) I have heard of this golden triangle but when stopping to do the video I couldn't remember the location! Thanks so much for this - and yes, agreed re the holes in the buds - best wishes, Joel

[@williamsclive2900]

hi joel ... thanks for this very interesting. i never knew this.. great to see you mentioned Uk amphibians.. absolutely amazing channel.. hope all is well your end 👍

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Clive, glad you enjoyed this - and yes, UK Amphibians is a worthwhile subscribe :) Best wishes, Joel

[@janiedunn637]

👍🏻 video. Very interesting to know about the daffodils 🌼. 😊

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Glad you enjoyed it Janie :) Best wishes, Joel

[@alisonburgess345]

Really interesting video Joel. I must admit I've got a bed of King Alfreds just cos I love 'em. Today I'm going to try to make a little frog attracting bog garden in a flowerpot for my greenhouse...

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Alison, thank you :) You are certainly allowed plants because you love them, I often try to say to people that gardening for wildlife isn't about stripping everything out and starting again but just making a few spaces for wildlife and providing vital nectar sources - which I know you are doing already :) Good luck with the bog flower-pot, I am sure you will have a very grateful visitor - best wishes, Joel

[@judithhope8970]

I had a pretty butterfly, I think was a painted lady on my dandelion flower yesterday. And saw my first brimstones, one at Hyde hall and then one in my garden. Beautiful!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Great stuff Judith - we've certainly had a few glorious days, I must get to Hyde Hall again, such a fantastic place :) So glad to hear you're making space for those vital dandelions too, you're already being rewarded - best wishes, Joel

[@loveall3890]

It’s going to be a beautiful summer! Next on my list is clematis, and then hawthorn after that. I’m mainly after pollinators and good nesting shelter for birds.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

It certainly is - your list sounds great! You'll be rewarded for your efforts with very grateful visitors and no doubt soon to be residents :) Best wishes - Joel

[@suebelcher6560]

Have always left dandelions in the lawn just because I like them, glad they’re actually good for wildlife too 🤗 Had no idea daffodils weren’t though!! Thanks for making informative videos, keep it up 👍

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Sue, some insects will nectar on daffodils, but it's the wild ones that they need of course - me too re Dandelions, I'm not sure when it was decided that they should be removed from lawns, I have to say it's also the case with daisies these days and yet a lawn full of daisies is so pretty :) Best wishes, Joel

[@PaulOutdoors]

Going to visit Bob's channel ASAP Joel 👍. I love this time of year and the beautiful Chiff Chaff is a real harbinger of springs arrival and I look forward to the sights and sounds of the first Swallows, Swifts and Martins. That has always been a yearly highlight for me. Looking forward to Trailcam footage of your robins exploits 😊. The Kempley/Newent area here on the Herefordshire/Gloucestershire border is a wonderful place to see wild daffodils. They are legion in this area Joel and well worth a visit. I have spotted bees visiting my miniature daffs... Tete a Tete and February Gold but they much prefer the wildies that's for sure and I plan to replace all my daffs with the wild daffodil. I think that you are spot on regarding the watered down appeal of modern daffodil varieties. A superb watch and listen as always. Thank you. Paul 👍😊

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

That's another site on my list then Paul! Thank you for this. Yes, some of the smaller varieties do seem to attract pollinators, but making space for the native ones is great :) Catch up soon, and thanks for your support - best wishes, Joel

[@kurtpjxhmac20]

I’ve got a few clumps of wild native daffodils and I have seen large swathes of them on the road sides in my area which is nice to see. The bees do visit the small hybrid daffodils, I got a photo of a big buff tail forcing her way in the tiny trumpet! And if you see my photo, it’s a comma butterfly that I saved today, first one I’ve seen ! But it was wet as it had landed in a bit of water under a pot. It dried off in the sun on my hand, but it was great to have it so close and to see it fly away

[@SisterDogmata]

Not all hero's wear capes! Love that people care about the little creatures.

[@kurtpjxhmac20]

@@SisterDogmata thank you haha, I’ve saved bumblebees and even wasps from drowning! I don’t like to watch them suffer

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Great! Good for you, it's a good feeling isn't it :) Best wishes, Joel

[@tanyareilly8807]

Great that we can get the native species from your shop. I'll have to stop by and grab some! I'm in South Devon, too!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Tanya - thanks so much, I am trying to ensure that all the plants, materials and accessories I use are available to everyone now, the suppliers I have used for many years were getting enquiries regularly but were not set-up to sell to the public directly, and I got a lot of enquiries from people needing these items so I thought the best thing would be to work with both and make them available to all :) Best wishes to you - Joel

[@anemone104]

Top stuff! Cultivated daffs do so well because very little actually eats them....And they get planted everywhere, the bulbs get chucked out and moved around in topsoil.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you - and totally agree! I will find time to watch the rest of your videos real soon, just up to my eyes in work at the moment and want to give them the attention they deserve :) Best wishes - Joel

[@anemone104]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton No pressure from me, glad you're getting plenty of work.

[@imjustabee]

I live in Cardiff and I've seen some native daffodils! There's a few lakes in East Cardiff where I live that have some around this time of year, I didn't actually know the difference but after looking them up I've definitely seen them on my dog walks :)

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

This is great to hear :) Thanks for this - best wishes and I hope you have a great weekend - Joel

[@garethjagger5671]

Have you managed to do a video about Ivy yet? Love the videos, keep it up!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Gareth :) I've mentioned it a fair few times in general videos but not a specific one about it yet - it's on the list though for sure - thanks ever so much for your support and encouragement, it's appreciated - best wishes, Joel

[@Tofog22000]

I didn't know there were wild species, good to know. 👍 They are deer resistant compared to Tulips which make them very popular too.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Glad this was helpful - I didn't know that about deer so we've both learned something today! Catch up soon, best wishes - Joel

[@Bezjc1936]

Did you see that programme 'My Garden of a Thousand Bees'. Thought of you while watching it. Amazing what the film maker has done with his garden.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

No - was this on UK TV Beryl? I'll have to search for this one, sounds wonderful :) Thank you for letting me know, appreciated! Best wishes, Joel

[@minresinartcrafts]

Thanks for your video.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

You’re very welcome. Lots more to come from the channel 😊👍 Thanks for watching

[@minresinartcrafts]

Oh yes. Of course. I love flower, please please make a lot video about Flowers.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@minresinartcrafts of course! I have recently made a whole new playlist about wildflowers, so feel free to check that out in the playlists section on the channel 😁👍

[@minresinartcrafts]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thanks for your kind.

[@keithroberts42]

I did see a bee sleeping in a daffodil in the garden, but yes they are of limited value. The 'onion weed' I was telling you about seems popular with the bees so I'm happy to let them do their thing. It's nice to have plants that can take care of themselves. Looking forward to the weekend, need to get some walks in.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

What a lovely thing to see! Hope you got a photo for me ;) Great re the onion weed (also known as false garlic I believe) sounds fantastic, I'm going to look into this more as it's native of course. Me too re the weekend, cant wait! Best wishes, Joel

[@NickSBailey]

Didn't realise how scarce wild daffs are, have got a few in the garden from bulbs I bought years ago will have to try to propagate them, wonder how long they take from seed. I actually think they're better than most of the cultivars bred because the flowers open earlier and last longer and never flop over. I saw a bee visit them briefly but definitely stayed around the Ribes bush for a lot longer :)

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

That's a good point Nicholas, I hadn't thought of that aspect of it before, in that the heavier the bloom the more likely they are to "tip over". So glad you've got some wild ones and are thinking about propagating them, although I think you'll need some patience as they can take a few years from seed to first flowers, but don't let that put you off! Best wishes - Joel

[@micksmusicchannel]

This was very informative Joel, always learn something here. I'm looking forward to the bluebell video, they're one of my favourites.. also dandelions are important to us tortoise owners as well 🙂 , stay safe mate and my best to you and Nikki 🙂👍

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey Mick - just attempting to edit that video of the destruction that I mentioned to you, it's taking a while and despite me hoping I'd have it uploaded this evening it might be tomorrow now. All good this side though, weather is definitely getting colder but the lighter evenings are soon to be with us! We're both doing fine and I hope you are too. Catch up real soon - Joel

[@micksmusicchannel]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton No worries Joel, looking forward to seeing the video, and at the same time not (if you know what I mean) We've had a couple of lovely warm days here although set to get colder next week. Hope your weekends going well. I've just been sat in my tiny back garden with clear skies and stars. Have a great Sunday and all our best to you, Nikki and the kids 👍

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@micksmusicchannel Sounds heavenly! That's the thing isn't it, some of the best night-time sky viewing is in the colder times, less cloud etc - I just gave up on the editing after 2 hours, circa 50 minutes footage to go through but the bulk of it done. Thanks so much for your continued encouragement and support Mick, it means a lot. Enjoy Sunday! Best wishes, Joel

[@micksmusicchannel]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton You're right about the night skies. I have a couple of pairs of astro binoculars and some of the stuff I've seen up there makes me wonder. hey its no problem at all supporting you Joel, I know good people when I come across them. I often talk about you to my wife Zoe on the stuff you've been doing. Mothers day tomorrow so best wishes to Nikki and hope you have a restful one mate 👍

[@val-janemorley2270]

Good day Joel, Re: your Robin nesting this year, with others no doubt going to nest on your house wall. Why leave it to chance if the eggs or young nestlings get killed by predators- just accepting that. Why not cover the nest with doubled up chicken wire to give the young bird family a fighting chance - as I have seen / read about. Pretty effective too.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there Val, yes there is chicken wire over those boxes, big enough to let the birds through but not the squirrels :) There's a lot of cover and it's difficult to keep an eye on who's nesting and when and of course I don't want to disturb them when I come across a nest, several more in the garden this year and the new dog is certainly keeping the squirrels on their toes so hopefully they'll be less inclined to visit! :) Hope you've had a good weekend - best wishes, Joel

[@robertsmithshair4199]

ive ben growing the the poeticus pheasents eye dafs this year (just about to flower) supposedly good for wildlife, and cambridge botanic garden mentioned tete a tete being good for bees on GW a while back. hopefully i'll see some bees on both in the coming days and weeks

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hello there - yes, I keep hearing good things about tete a tete and I have heard that the pheasants eye ones are appreciated too :) Thanks for this, let me know what visitors you get - best wishes, Joel

[@robertsmithshair4199]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton bee-flys briefly visiting the tête-à-tête-à-têtes today (preferring the aubretia nearby though) still no buds on the poeticus…

[@itsmewende]

After this info, I'm going to start looking around my wild areas, it's nothing but country here, who knows I may find some tucked in the woods.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Great! Let me know if you do - best of luck, and what a good excuse for a walk in the country :) Best wishes Wende, Joel

[@itsmewende]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton There's nothing but country here, hundreds of acres of farm land and woods, there must be some somewhere around here.

[@Lilacleaf49065]

We've lived here 20 years and the old lady before us has millions of bluebells nd some daffodils. No idea what kind but I have seen some butterflies in the daffodils yhe past few days. It's a shame so many people are still ignorantly planting ornamental plants and not natives.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I bet your garden is an absolute picture due to the previous custodian, and your good selves of course :) Hopefully the word will spread and our native wildflowers will be given the acknowledgement they deserve - hope you have a great weekend - best wishes, Joel

[@Lilacleaf49065]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton oh our gardens a big old mess with some love colours thrown in but the nature thanks us for it :)

[@donaldauguston9740]

Joel, I saw on the TV show "QI", that daffodils are not native to Britain. They were introduced to Britain by the Romans 2000 years ago. Is that your understanding too?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Donald, yes I have heard this re the Romans, in that Daffodils were brought to Britain by the Romans who thought that the sap from daffodils had healing powers :) Rather incredibly, Daffodils were introduced into gardens in about 300BC. Hope you're doing well and have a good weekend - best wishes, Joel

[@susiewebb5669]

Lovely video, thank you. Daffodils do bring so much joy this time of year. I planted some wild daffodils last year and they are quite delicate and very pretty. Also enjoying letting my lawn grow wild with dandelions and clover, but I keep wondering where are the daisys and buttercups that lawns used to be full of? Thanks again.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey Susie - so heartening to hear that you have the wild ones and are letting your lawn grow these vital flowers for so many early emerging species. I was thinking about daisies too the other day, so many lawns had them when I was a lot younger, we sell them in the online shop but it's a while since I've seen a lawn (or a grass verge!) with them in and it's a real shame - no daisy chains made either I guess, which was quite a pastime when we were small. Best wishes - Joel

[@debbiehenri345]

I don't cut my lawn at all, but even before I treated it this way - no daisies. Now I have buttercups galore (among other things), but I had to reintroduce daisies deliberately a few years ago (where they are now doing well).

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@debbiehenri345 This is fantastic Debbie, great to know the daisies are back in your lawn and well done for persevering - thought this might be an opportunity to say to others that we have wild daisies available on the website: wildyourgarden.com/product/common-daisy/ Best wishes - Joel

[@susiewebb5669]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thanks, Joel, Great to hear you have wild daisies we can introduce into the lawn. I'll definitely be interested in this. Certainly one for the nostalgic among us who made daisy chains and used buttercups to determine who liked butter. @Debbie Henri glad to hear your lawn has buttercups galore!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@susiewebb5669 .... and dandelions that "make you wet the bed" - or that's what we were told anyway 🤣

[@helenhawkins4054]

Interesting as always.🥗

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Helen, glad you enjoyed this :) Best wishes, Joel

[@blaschito1]

Hi Joel, I emailed Plantlife asking about the Spanish bluebells. They said that there is a new paper (available online, I also read it, yet it is only one paper!) which shows that crosspollination between Spanish and English bluebells it is much harder to happen, if at all, then what it was thought. I think I have got Spanish bluebells as I was given and did not know of their existence. I think I will let them flower this year but I am still intending to replace these with English next year despite the advise of Plantlife. More work for me to dig them out from the ground!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Well done you for looking into this further - knowledge is power :) I think, and according to the Woodland Trust, that the "danger" of cross-pollination is when gardens containing spanish bluebells are close to woodland and natural habitat of english bluebells and the ability of insects to cross-pollinate these flowers within their "flying distance" - the worry is that the spanish bluebells will out-compete and also dilute the gene pool of the bluebells - but they may have not read this particular paper yet ;) I think you're doing the right thing, give them one more season and then try to replace them - it is a shame when a plant obviously provides nectar source but if there is the danger that they take over then thought is required. More work, but you will be satisfied with your achievements no doubt :) Thank you for this, best wishes - Joel

[@brefnejowers9747]

I've been waging war for the last 4 years on Spanish bluebells in our garden, they are invasive buggars. I think I have a patch of native ones too that have so far not succumbed.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey there, they're quite an opponent aren't they, but well done you for your stamina! It will be worth the hard work, I promise :) Hope you're having a good weekend, best wishes - Joel

[@brefnejowers9747]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton I'm loving this burst of good weather but having to remind myself also that I don't have to tackle absolutely everything this weekend 😂🌞

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@brefnejowers9747 🤣🤣 I know exactly what you mean! Colder weather here next week but we'll soon be into the lighter evenings - no rest for the wicked etc! Best wishes - Joel

[@monicaericsson9558]

Thank you for good information. I didn't know this... and what about tulips ?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Monica :) It is believed that the best types of tulips for attracting bees are found in varying shades of violet. Bees are able to see the ultraviolet rays these petals produce when reflected in the sun - I hope this helps :) Best wishes, Joel

[@monicaericsson9558]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thanks for your answer, and for all your interesting videos!

[@jamieaubre8215]

Why does it matter if plants are native or not? Should we not accept and embrace the spread of plants regardless of there origin? How far back does nativism go? Surely all plants started somewhere and spread naturally over time. Love your videos, very informative. I’m just interested as to why you think it’s a shame that a plant isn’t native

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Jamie - if plants are a vital source of nectar then I totally agree that non-natives are great additions to the garden, take buddleja for example, but what I was trying to relay is the cross-pollination aspect, verbena bonariensis and buddleja for example don't cross-pollinate with other plants and yet are clearly vital for nectar sources and I use a fair few true "non-natives" in my garden designs and installations, and as you say a lot of these non-natives have been around for 100s of years and insects have learned to reap nectar from these flowers. In this case, the hybrids have cross-bred, as spanish bluebells have with our natives, meaning a huge loss in the native population. Hope this clarifies, apologies that I didn't make that clearer in the video :) Best wishes - Joel

[@jamieaubre8215]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton thanks for the informative response, look forward to your next video :)

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@jamieaubre8215 You're very welcome Jamie, just editing the next one now but it's taking a little while. Hope to upload it tonight if I don't end up falling asleep over the computer! ;) Best wishes - Joel

[@illustriousbadger1065]

There's still enough wild in those daffodils for them to have spread themselves around. Perhaps over time, in places where they grow in competition, the will evolve themselves back to being more attractive to pollinators.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Here's hoping :) Some good points - thanks for this - Joel

[@GregsWildlife]

Very interesting video. I always wonder about cultivated flower species and whether they are any good for wildlife. I have a lot of Spanish bluebells that appear in my garden, I'm guessing planted by the previous owner, do you think I should remove these?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey Greg :) Sad as it may seem, it is probably best to remove these, I wouldn't see the harm in giving them one more season before removing them but they are renowned for cross-pollinating very well with our natives which of course means the natives struggle. Some cultivated plants can still be beneficial as a food source but as so many of our native wildflowers (over many years) were "improved" by gardeners and horticulturists it seems such a shame that their beauty and usefulness were not considered enough and some felt they could be improved... I will catch up with you real soon, just planning the work schedule to work out when I'll be close to you - can't wait to meet up. Best wishes, Joel

[@GregsWildlife]

Great, looking forward to hearing from you.

[@debbiehenri345]

Some years ago, I read that something like 80-85% of native Bluebells already carry Spanish Bluebell DNA.

[@NadineTouzet]

Hi Joel, are pollen beetles attracted only to the colour yellow as opposed to other factors? I normally find them on the dandelions, but I have a bright yellow teeshirt that I can’t wear in the garden, I get instantly covered in them 😂. Thank you for all the insight.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Nadine :) You are right, I have heard that yellow flowers are particularly attractive to these beetles, so your comment did make me laugh! You are very welcome, I am so glad you enjoy the channel - best wishes, Joel

[@SisterDogmata]

We used to have a yellow car and it was always covered in insects! The kids loved it.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@SisterDogmata 🤣Brilliant - this made me laugh too!

[@brownfamily3218]

Hi Joel Check out lichfield Wildlife Group Piggott's Bottom Daffodil walk on Saturday.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there! Sounds great, and a lot of wild daffodils by all accounts - did you go? Great weather yesterday but certainly getting colder today. Best wishes - Joel

[@brownfamily3218]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton It was a lovely morning at Piggotts Bottom. 23 people turned up. This is a piece of ancient woodland but has been managed throughout the years and has a lot of coppiced sycamore. It's about 4 miles from our house. The wood was used for many things - probably included pit props as there was a coalmine just a few miles away from the site. My grandfather worked in the mine. It is owned by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. They have been removing bramble and rhododendron to open up the floor for the daffodils to come through. There are lots of bluebells coming through as well. Another piece of woodland (Georges Hayes) a few metres down the road has bluebells too but very few daffs. The two sites are separated by a strip of farmland and a house so no chance of the two sites being joined up. Another trip is in order when the bluebells are out. I'm looking forward to your exciting news! Best wishes Karen

[@brownfamily3218]

Just ordered 25 daffodil bulbs from your shop. Will remove the few cultivated ones I've got. Still digging up Spanish bluebells and have convinced someone else today to do the same.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@brownfamily3218 Thanks Karen, really enjoyed reading this and that's a good number of people really. You certainly have some wonderful places on your doorstep, and even more so out of your back door! Catch up soon, best wishes to you all - Joel

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@brownfamily3218 That's great Karen, thank you so much, and great work re the convincing! You set such good examples in your own garden and prove the rewards that are many, how could anyone argue with you? ;) Best wishes - Joel

[@gemnickygamer169]

I'm a bit conflicted. I found a random daffodil sprouted next to my pond which gave me the idea of planting a load of native bulb plants around it. Now I found out the daffodil isn't wild so I don't know whether to remove this surprise plant or not

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there - I'd let it flower this year, and it does seem a shame to remove this, I know a lot of people feel pretty sad when taking up the spanish bluebells too, but it will be worth planting the wild daffodils, you'll see the difference in insect visitors :) Best wishes, hope you're having a good weekend - Joel

[@trevormichael8041]

That is interesting, that hybrids are less attractive to insects than the species plants. It makes sense if the hybrid is sterile, but if they produce seed they must still produce pollen. Have you done a direct comparison between a clump of wild daffodils and garden variety daffodils? I'm not sure that comparing dandelions with daffodils is a fare comparison, because different flowers are attractive to different insects.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Trevor, thank you - I wasn't making a direct comparison of daffodils and dandelions as such, more the fact that due to hybrids they have reduced the number of wild daffodils, and just the sheer lack of insects in general visiting what should be a large source of pollen and nectar. I'll be uploading the dandelion video shortly with more info :) Best wishes, Joel

[@keninlondon2009]

Are there any other pollinators that choose daffodils? Can they survive without a pollinator?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Ken - with the cultivated ones daffodils have lost the need to be pollinated because they are grown from bulbs - I believe the only reason they still have flowers is that the bulbs are selected from those that produce the "nicest" blooms. Plant breeders keep seed-fertile varieties in order to continue hybridising so I think that the wild daffodils will still need pollination. I have seen the pollen beetles on the daffodils too though, so this must help I guess. Hope that makes sense - I will be over to see you soon, just need to work on my schedule and get time to be in your area, but I've certainly not forgotten - best wishes to you and yours, Joel

[@stevehiggins1263]

Glad to hear about your resident Robin Joel that's awesome!. We have blue tits building a nest in our garden and fortunately we have a camera in the box.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Steve - just managed to get home in time to see two blue tits taking nesting material into one of the boxes in the garden :) Set up the trailcam for the Robin box and the only footage I got was of the dog Luna's FACE whilst she was investigating the new equipment! Think I need to adjust it somewhat ;) So good to hear about you having the cam in the nest and these grateful residents - keep me updated! Best wishes, Joel

[@markhunter2244]

Such a shame that Daffodils have limited value for wildlife, they’re absolutely everywhere at the moment.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Some pollinators will use them Mark, for sure - it's just a shame we have so few of the original wild ones - they're a very cheery sight :) Hope you're having a good weekend. Best wishes - Joel

[@nicklloyd8191]

Canyou buy wild daffodils 🌼

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Nick - yes you can, we have them available on the website here: wildyourgarden.com/product/wild-daffodil-narcissus-pseudonarcissus-lobularis-spring-in-the-green-bulbs/ Not sure what has happened to the image, hopefully it shows by the time you visit :) Best wishes, Joel

[@bluebowser3121]

You should rename your channel to Rambling with Joel Ashton because it took you forever to get to the point lol

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank god for the pause or stop button eh? ;) All my videos are non-scripted I'm afraid and I stop in random places to share information, wish I could make a living from KZbin but then I'd not have projects to share and show people how to garden with wildlife in mind and reap the rewards it can bring - best wishes, Joel

[@GreenGorgeousness]

I love long, have a nice sit and chat videos from garden people. I draw, garden and craft to it in the background. It's like I have a garden friend. Everything isn't made for everybody. Find someone who creates for people like you.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@GreenGorgeousness Thank you, I really appreciate that - best wishes, Joel

[@philliporion9709]

For sure habitat destruction has played a part but you should not underestimate the total annihilation of our native plants at the hands of the victorians.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Absolutely Phillip - last year my partner bought me the fantastic book "The Wild Garden" by William Robinson (1838-1935) and he saw the destruction of native flora and fauna and wrote this book regarding his ethos of "wild gardening" and the need for native planting, it was apparently him who started the fashion for cottage gardening - if you ever get a chance to visit Gravetye Manor in Sussex I'd highly recommend it as this is his showcase. I need to go again and make a video of this of course :) Best wishes, Joel