Ubiquitous urban plants often derided as “weeds” are the most attractive to pollinating insects.

The autumn blooms of common ivy, rich in pollen and nectar, are the most visited by insects including bees and butterflies, according to an eight-year study.

The next most popular are hogweed and bramble flowers, followed by non-native buddleia, which attracts four times as many butterflies and moths as other high-scoring flowers.