BIODIVERSITY BOOST

Five of the best ways to give insects a helping hand

Jack Wallington started gardening with

a tiny plot in south London, before retraining in horticulture and landscape

design. As he started to notice the growing numbers of insects and birds that visited his garden, he began to understand their value as part of an ecosystem, with his knowledge detailed in his new book, A Greener Life (£19.99, Laurence King). Here, he shares top tips

for making your garden bug-friendly.

WELCOME APHIDS

It might sound counterintuitive, but aphids will attract lacewings, earwigs and ladybirds to your garden, who all

like to eat them.

FE E D C ATERPILL ARS

Plant a patch of the common stinging nettle, Urtica dioica – it’s the favourite food of many moth and

butterfly caterpillars.

SPARE THE SPIDERS

Arachnids keep other insects in check, as

well as providing lunch for birds. Encourage them by planting sturdy ornamental grasses, which are perfect for web-building and stay standing in autumn

and winter.

MAKE A HOME FOR HOVERFLIES

Plants such as fennel, ammi and yarrow are invaluable for these garden visitors,

which use them as landing pads.

GI VE BE ES A GR ASSY KNOLL

Clump-forming ornamental grasses, such as Deschampsia cespitosa, create a mound, and their roots make a perfect place for solitary bees to safely

burrow and nest.