Allotments 4 All

Maybe in the winter when everyone is sitting by the fire,
but I'd like to hear your thoughts then on growing mainly native plants to encourage an insect population to feed the birds and other wildlife....rather than alien plants which don't support many insects. At least that is what I understand.

I've just been reading more about this topic so be forewarned it will return in the winter unless you've already discussed it up and down;D

I think we've got loads of native plants which are worth a place in our gardens. I have several species of shrup or small tree, Great Mullein and numerous weeds. With a bit of research, it would be possible to come up with plenty more desirable plants.

It's worth remembering that you don't have to have all native plants, though - some non-natives also provide pollen at different times of the year. I think it's more important to avoid hybrids which produce litte or no pollen and hence are of no use to any insect.

A lot of non-natives produce pollen and nectar, but what they won't do is provide much food for insect larvae.

the most amazing plant i've seen for attracting moths was a eucalyptus in a friend's garden. When it was in flower it was inundated with night-flying moths. Amazing. Not a eucalyptus gunii, and really rather ugly though.
I wouldn't be without all the campions, though that's mainly for beauty. The white campion is scented and attracts moths. Verbascums too, and Purple Loostrife attracts butterflies and bees. Bergamot of course (that's one of yours). Parsley family herbs will also encourage insects (and look great too)
Borage is great for bees, but also greenfinches will come into the garden for the oily seeds
Plants with big seed heads will attract birds, sunflowers and echinops and all the thistly things
We're also encouraged to leave areas with nettles (for larvae of several butterflies), also brambles (ditto) for instance
Not sure if this helps, particularly as you're trying to encourage HUMMINGBIRDS  ;D

I hadn't realized how off-target I was concerning attracting birds of all types and sustaining them in the world. I thought since there were the seed eaters and the insect eaters if I had a garden with a good mixture of plants from anywhere in the world they'd be fed well. But according to Bringing Nature Home by Tallamy 96% of the birds in North America (and I'd guess the same for the UK) depend on insects and other arthropods, typically spiders, to feed their young.  But it is the native species of plants that attract the most useful insects which the native birds like.