Creating a wildlife-friendly garden
Gardens can provide valuable food, shelter and breeding space for birds, insects, hedgehogs, frogs and many other forms of wildlife. Even small gardens can become important habitats when planted and managed with nature in mind.
Wildlife-friendly gardening does not require untidy or neglected spaces. Thoughtful planting, access to water and a few quieter corners can greatly increase the variety of wildlife visiting a garden throughout the year.
Plants loved by pollinators
- Lavender
- Verbena bonariensis
- Foxgloves
- Holly
- Hawthorn
- Crab apple
- Teasel
- Sedum / Hylotelephium
- Native wildflowers
- Ivy
- Buddleja
- Sunflowers
Simple ways to encourage wildlife
- Leave some areas of the garden slightly wild for shelter and nesting.
- Provide shallow water sources for birds and insects.
- Avoid pesticide use wherever possible.
- Leave seedheads through autumn and winter for birds and overwintering insects.
- Include a range of flowering plants across different seasons.
- Add log piles, dense shrubs or hedges to create habitats.
