Love Thy Ladybird at the Tatton Show

Garden lovers will be in good company at Tatton Park when a bright scattering of summer superheroes descend on the RHS Flower Show (18 – 22 July) to practice their powers of protection over prized blooms.
 
Ladybirds may not seem likely candidates for such a grand title, but as predators of green and black flies (aphids) and other harmful pests, they play an important role in a garden’s lifecycle.

 
And the reason that Britain's best-loved beetles will be making a beeline to Tatton is that their taste buds will be tickled by the profusion of herbs at this year's show. For aside from an appetite for one of the gardener’s bugbears, the aphid, the ladybird is also a fan of pollen rich plants such as angelica, dill, parsley, caraway, catnip, lemon balm, fennel and thyme.
 
These are just some of the varieties featured in six herb gardens appearing at Tatton this month that are likely to entice the scarlet superhero. Jacqui Brocklehurst, a self-confessed herbal hedonist, is throwing a 'Herbal Tea Party' in her garden with the aim of showing how easily this horticultural all-rounder can be grown and how a couple of leaves and a spot of hot water can make the perfect, natural brew.  Co-incidentally, Jacqui’s favourite infusion, lemon balm is also a favourite of the ladybird.
 
Ladybirds are not the only ones to appreciate a bit of herbal seasoning, as Gillian McCulloch’s pursuit to 'Taste Life in the Garden' demonstrates.  Dill, parsley and angelica are just a few of an array of culinary flavourings selected for this very modern garden that will lure ladybirds.
 
The garden good guys are also certain to be dropping in on Claire Tucker’s ‘Worts and All’ plot where they’ll find pollen-rich treats such as thyme and parsley, and Jules Miller and Susan Jones’ ‘Living Medicine’ garden with six different beds that reflect the medicinal properties of herbs.
 
The thinking behind 'attraction gardening' (discouraging harmful pests by encouraging their predators) is hailed by horticulturists for being a truly organic way to safeguard planting and avoid using artificial methods of pest prevention. You’ll be able to seek advice on this and other positively natural ideas, such as ‘companion planting’, from a host of RHS and wildlife gardening experts at the Show.

At Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s stand there is the chance to learn more about the different species of ladybirds, how to attract them to your garden and even about an invasive species, the harlequin, which is a threat to the native ladybird.

Fryer’s Nurseries will have a range of ladybird themed products available, including ladybird houses and printed ladybird hats for children.

In case you didn’t know, Ladybirds are named after Our Lady, the Virgin Mary, the red colour said to represent the red cloak Mary was depicted wearing in old paintings. The seven spots are for the seven joys and seven sorrows. Their bright colour is a warning mechanism as they are unpalatable to most predators. There are 46 species of Ladybird in the UK but over 5,000 species world-wide.
 
The RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park takes place between 18 and 22 July, with 18 July reserved for RHS members.  To book tickets call 0870 842 2229 or visit www.rhs.org.uk/flowershows

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