Cynthia, you make a very good point. Extrapolating from one country to another, even one region to another, and offering advice for one region as good advice for another region, can be very misleading. For example, sticking with Buddleia davidii, in our Pennsylvania garden we've never seen a seedling in more than ten years and plants don't always make it through the winter. But that does not mean that it's not invasive elsewhere, and neither does it mean that because it IS invasive elsewhere that we should not plant it where we are. I suppose my point is that there are far too many sweeping generalizations applied thoughtlessly and too many bold assumptions made. And yes, Bringing Nature Home is a fascinating read.

Yes, Weeding the Web, research for the RHS Plants For Bugs project that I mention includes monitoring the insect visitors to a range of plots planted with very specific plants - I'm in England at the moment so I'll go take a look. You can find out more at the project's webpage http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Sustainable-gardening/Plants-for-bugs and the scientist in charge blogs about the project at http://mygarden.rhs.org.uk/blogs/science__advice/default.aspx I'll add these links to my original post.

Unfortunately Nepeta kubanica was squeezed out of my article for lack of space; you're not the only person to mention that species. Also... I have some new info on 'Walker's Low', which I'll bring you as soon as I have more details.

I'm still making enquiries... I'll post again if I get to the truth...

Could be squirrels, Louise... But there's not not many houses in the area, and the nearest doesn't look like it has much of a garden... And it's a long way for a squirrel to carry a bulb...

Exactly, Cathy. Of course, there's a rich heritage of local common names - I know about those in Britain in particular through two wonderful books by the poet Geoffrey Grigson and from Richard Mabey's Flora Britannica. Perhaps there's an American book on the names used before the country was settled from Europe. These old local names often have fascinating folklore connections but are completely useless when trying to discuss a plant with someone whose local name for it is different from yours. That's why scientific names are invaluable. How many different plants are called bluebell? Twenty?