Flowers to attract hover flies

I grew poached egg plant last year as I heard that they attract hover flies which will eat pests that will attack my runner beans.

Can anyone recommend of any nice looking flowers that will attract hover flies, that would look nice in a rockery?

 

Wow, I never knew there were so many different types of hoverfly! I found this website by doing a quick google, and I've posted the link below.

http://www.uknature.co.uk/hoverflies.html

Reading a bit about hoverflies, they can digest pollen, so I would go for plants that are perhaps classed with attracting Bees. For a rockery, I would look to be planting things like London Pride, Alysum, and Aubritia if your soil/location allow.

I would also include perhaps a lavender and if you have room a Buddleja, as these both attract bees, and I would also think hoverflies.

Hope this Helps!

 

If you plant sedum spectabile, the hoverflies will knock you down to get at it!

But you'll need to trim the plants to keep them small - try Googling "Chelsea Chop" and you'll find advice from the RHS on how to do this. You'll also need to divide them every couple of years.

 

It's worth considering also the needs of the hoverflies over winter. There seems some sense in once you atrract them to find a way to keep them-bug hotels do this.

 

I definitely agree with Flinty about Sedums I grew some smaller rockery type Sedums I was given as an extra when I bought some plants at the local WI sale and they flowerd last year and I was absolutely inundated by them

 

They are also very fond of the blossom on Pyracanthus. Mine are smothered in them.