A sharp decline in wildflowers has not helped the bumblebee

New research from English Nature says modern garden designs with fewer traditional plants could be contributing to the demise of bees.

Thought to be the most important insect to visit your garden, the decline in native bumble bees in Britain is being taken seriously by the UK government's conservation advisor, English Nature.

It claims intensive farming practices have led to a sharp decline in wildflowers over the past 70 years.

Modern trends

That has meant gardens have become an increasingly important source of nectar for bees.

But modern trends for few or no flowers and hybrid plant varieties are contributing to their demise.

English Nature is taking its message to the Chelsea Flower Show this week, asking gardeners to consider planting traditional cottage garden flowers instead of hybrids.