LOVELY TO LOOK AT... AND TEEMING WITH LIFE

ALL YOU NEED FOR A WILDLIFE GARDEN, WHATEVER ITS SIZE

SHRUBS AND LONG GRASS

Invaluable for wildlife, shrubs give shelter to hedgehogs, mice, birds and insects. They can also provide flowers, leaves and berries for nectar and food. Try to grow a variety of shrubs for a range of habitats. A patch of long grass is a haven for insects and will allow you to grow wildflowers, which are an excellent source of nectar for pollinating insects.

POND PLANTS

Water lilies and other flowering pond plants help shelter frogs and other aquatic life from predators and harsh sunlight.

AN OVERGROWN CORNER

A patch of weeds such as nettles and/or brambles will be a refuge for animals and a valuable source of food for some insects. Nettles, in particular, are vital to butterflies such as red admirals, small tortoiseshells and peacocks, whose caterpillars feed on them.

ORGANIC PEST CONTROL

Never use chemical pesticides, insecticides, herbicides or fungicides. Not only will they destroy vital food sources for birds and mammals, they can be harmful to other wildlife and pets, too. Using them will upset the whole eco-balance of your garden.

MARGINAL PLANTING

These moisture-loving plants that live by the edges of ponds provide shelter for insects, amphibians and even small mammals. They include plantain, rushes, flag irises and water forget-me-nots (pictured left).

WATER FEATURE

Even if it’s just a bird bath, a water feature is vital for a wildlife-friendly garden. A small pond will be used as a breeding ground by frogs, toads and newts, as well as caddis flies, damselflies, dragonflies, mayflies, pond skaters, snails and water beetles. Large ponds will support waterfowl, including mallard ducks, moorhens and coots. Gently sloping sides will allow larger creatures to easily enter and leave.