Garden wildlife care for heatwaves: dahlias, cinnabar moths, and more

As we experience one of the most extreme summers on record, how can we help our garden wildlife cope with the heat? RHS Science and Horticulture Editor Olivia Drake explains why ornamental dahlias can be an excellent late summer food source for pollinators, while RHS entomologist Josie Stuart introduces us to the striking cinnabar moth and its close relationship with drought-resistant ragwort. We also visit Where Magic Grows, a new family-friendly immersive exhibition at Leeds’ Thackeray Museum of Medicine, exploring the connections between plants, folklore and medicine, in collaboration with the RHS. Plus, we answer some of your top gardening questions of the week.

Host: Gareth Richards

Producers: Dan Cocker, Poppy Waring

Contributors: Olivia Drake, Josie Stuart, Jack Gann, Holly Tomlinson

Links:

Dahlias for pollinators

Exhibition: Where Magic Grows

Lavendars

Plums

Grey Water

Plants mentioned:

• Dahlia merckii https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/5296/dahlia-merckii-b/details   

• Dahlia 'Tangerine Gem' https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/510690/dahlia-tangerine-gem-sin/details 

• Dahlia australis https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/181404/dahlia-australis/details  

• Dahlia Pretty Woman https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/282403/dahlia-pretty-woman-vdtg43-pbr-dark-angel-series-sin/details 

• Veronicastrum virginicum 'Lavendelturm' https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/111539/veronicastrum-virginicum-lavendelturm/details

• Achillea millefolium 'Cerise Queen'https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/97048/achillea-millefolium-cerise-queen/details

Email your questions to [email protected]