Trolls new hairdo?

Hi

In San Sebastian (north of Spain) last week I saw these curious plants. Interested as their climate is quite similar to England so might these work over here? Reminded me of trolls if you remember those cute (?) little doll things?

Separately, having attracted lots of lovely fat bees to my new garden (and a few butterflies) I also have quite a few of the attached stripey fellows. Not sure what they are - I only know bees and wasps, though I've heard of hornets so is this them? Hopefully these are not anything nasty so they can just happily cohabit with the others?

thanks
Gavin.

 

:mexwave::mexwave:Hi Trolls

First one I know as Prince of Wales feather (celosia ??? I think) and grow here realy well I think a 70's plant used on mass bedding displays

The other is a french marigold

and the liitle friend is a hover fly


Spruce

 

Both annuals, though (or at least behave as though they are) so won't come back again after winter.

 

Thanks Spruce.

Reading about hover flies it seems they are a friend rather than foe so happy to have them

regards
Gavin.

 

I have 2 of the 'troll' ones