Get planting
EARLY spring is the perfect time to think about what plants you might like to add to your garden this coming growing season to bring added value for wildlife. It really doesn’t matter if you have an acre or simply a window box – everyone can do something to boost the biodiversity of their outdoor space. You may have heard the statistic that all the gardens in the UK put together amount to a greater area than all the national parks combined. Or, to put it another way, it’s around 4,300 sq km, which is just over a fifth of the size of Wales! In this age of tarmac driveways and plastic lawns, if you have an outdoor space of any kind, you have the perfect opportunity to make a positive change and maybe inspire your neighbours to do the same.
It can be something as simple as a packet of wildflower seeds sown in a large pot, trough or window box and then left to do their thing through the year. Remember from last month’s article, I said that it’s not just about the flowering season – the bit we as humans have been taught is the best (because it looks nice) – even at the end of the summer and into autumn, those spent flower heads will provide seeds for birds and hiding places for invertebrates.
If you’re able to think bigger, maybe look at overhauling an uninspiring or neglected flowerbed and replanting it with a selection of wildlifefriendly plants. I’ll give a list of suggestions at the end to give you some ideas. Perhaps you’ve just moved into rented accommodation or a newbuild house and have nothing but lawn? No problem! A few years ago, I dug several flower beds round the edges of the lawn of our rented house and filled them with Lavender, Sweet Rocket, Red Valerian, Buddleia and various other goodies.
Over the course of the following summers, I went on to record some fantastic lepidopteran species visiting these plants, including Essex Skipper, Silverwashed Fritillary, Jersey Tiger and Mother Shipton moth. None of the areas I planted up was very big, but the crucial thing was that they offered nectaring opportunities where there were little to none before.
It’s not all about fulfilling the feeding requirements of pollinating insects though. If you have the space to do so, try to incorporate some native wildflowers or even a shrub or climber like Honeysuckle, Hawthorn or Ivy. Not only do they also provide a source of nectar at different times of year, they are all also larval foodplants for a variety of moths and butterflies – plus the berries provide a tasty treat for birds in autumn and winter too. The more structure and variety you can provide in your garden, the more opportunities there will be for a host of birds, insects and other wildlife to carry out their life cycles right on your doorstep!
Here are some ideas for plants to add to your garden and what species benefit from them:
• Red Valerian Centranthus ruber – beloved by Hummingbird Hawkmoths and Silver Y moths.
• Butterfly Bush Buddleja davidii
– does what it says on the tin. Butterflies go mad for it! Also a larval foodplant for several moth species including Mullein moth.
• Lavender Lavandula angustifolia – great for all sorts of bees, bumblebees and butterflies.
• Goldenrod Solidago nemoralis
– a variety of bees, including Ivy Bees if they emerge before Ivy has started flowering. The larval foodplant for a number of moths.
• Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis – flowers at night so is popular with moths. Get out there with the torch and watch them having a ball!
• Catmint Nepeta gigantea – visited by bees, bumblebees, butterflies and Hummingbird Hawk-moth.
• Sweet Rocket/Dame’s-violet
Hesperis matronalis – great for all sorts of pollinating insects. Orange-tip butterflies will also happily lay eggs on it.