| Why is it so Important? | | | | |
| | | | What To Do |
| In recent years, the popularity of wildlife | | | | |
| gardening has grown dramatically. Not only | | | | Small changes can make a tremendous |
| are gardeners increasingly aware of our | | | | difference to the amount of wildlife |
| declining wildlife and keen to play a role in | | | | attracted into your garden. For instance, by |
| its survival, but they are also discovering | | | | incorporating native plants carrying scented |
| the joy of sharing a garden with native | | | | flowers, seeds and berries you can attract |
| species. | | | | birds, bees, butterflies, and many other |
| | | | desirable animals, as well as predatory |
| We share our small garden with birds, frogs, | | | | insects such as ladybirds. Butterflies, moths |
| toads, hedgehogs and even the odd fox. | | | | and songbirds feed mainly on nectar, pollen |
| Nothing quite beats the magic of breakfast | | | | and seed. Bees too are attracted by nectar. |
| outside on a sunny morning, watching the | | | | |
| birds feed, squabble and sing. | | | | You can incorporate 'food' plants throughout |
| | | | the garden or perhaps plan a 'service station |
| Jane Davies. | | | | border' which contains a mixture of flowering |
| | | | and fruiting shrubs, herbaceous perennials |
| The past 100 years have seen the loss of some | | | | and colourful bedding plants, all chosen to |
| of our most precious habitats. Ecologist | | | | provide food for wildlife. If you only have a |
| Janice Crook explains "Estimates vary widely, | | | | small window box select beautiful flowering |
| but it seems that since 1945 we have lost | | | | annuals to attract bees and butterflies, as |
| something like 50% of our ancient woodland, | | | | well as brightening up a window sill. |
| and 95% of our flower-rich meadows." Little | | | | |
| wonder then that many of our most loved wild | | | | The following list shows some of the most |
| animal species have also declined | | | | successful border flowers and shrubs offering |
| dramatically. Even once common species such | | | | pollen, nectar and seeds, but remember that |
| as tree sparrows are at risk - these lively | | | | wildflowers can be important too. |
| garden visitors are now on the RSPB's red | | | | |
| data list for endangered species. | | | | Garden plants to look out for include: |
| | | | Christmas rose (Helleborus niger), winter |
| Even tiny wildlife areas can help to stem the | | | | aconite (Earanthus hyemalis), elephant's ears |
| decline by providing a safe home for native | | | | (Bergenia cordifolia), anenome (Anenome |
| plants and animals. It might seem that one | | | | blanda), polyanthus (Primula vulgaris |
| small garden cannot make a difference to such | | | | elatior), honesty (Lunaria biennis), sweet |
| a huge problem, but with around fifteen | | | | rocket (Hesperis matronalis), forget-me-not |
| million private gardens in Britain , covering | | | | (Myosotis spp.), leopard's bane (Doronicum |
| up to three million acres of land, gardeners | | | | pardalianches), sweet william (Dianthus |
| really can make a difference. If even a | | | | barbatus), shasta daisy (Chrysanthemum |
| fraction of these gardeners gave some of | | | | maximum), cranesbill (Geranium spp.), sweet |
| their land over to wildlife habitat they | | | | bergamot (Monarda didyma), oriental poppy |
| could provide many new homes for our most | | | | (Papaver orentiale), valerian (Centranthus |
| endangered species. Gardens have special | | | | ruber), angelica (Angelica archangelica), |
| value because they are arranged into networks | | | | lovage (Levesticum officinale), yarrow |
| of green space, often going into the very | | | | (Achillea filipendulina), hollyhock (Alcea |
| hearts of our largest cities, and forming | | | | rosa), snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus), teasel |
| safe 'wildlife corridors' along which animals | | | | (Dipsacus fullonum), mint (Mentha |
| and plants can travel. | | | | rotundifolia), meadow saffron (Colchium |
| | | | autumnale). |
| As our farmland and other natural areas | | | | |
| continue to be degraded or developed, gardens | | | | Wildflowers that are particularly good as a |
| will become ever more important as wildlife | | | | source of nectar or seeds include: lesser |
| refuges. | | | | burdock (Articum minus), hemp agrimony |
| | | | (Eupatorium cannabinum), field scabious |
| A Wildlife Food Supply | | | | (Knautia arvensis), foxglove (Digitalis |
| | | | purpurea), woody nightshade (Solanum |
| If you have the space, select a range of | | | | dulcamara), wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum), |
| plants that can supply different types of | | | | betony (Stachys officinalis), and hedge |
| food throughout the year. The following | | | | woundwort (Stachys sylvatica). |
| guidelines will help you to maximise the | | | | |
| amount of pollen and nectar available in your | | | | Shrubs to attract wildlife include: Buddleia |
| garden: | | | | (Buddleia spp.), Chaenomeles japonica, |
| | | | Pyracantha coccinea, Amelanchier canadensis, |
| Plant a range of species that flower at | | | | Cotoneaster frigida, Viburnum tinus, Viburnum |
| different times of the year; | | | | bodnantense, Mahonia spp., Cytisus scoparius |
| | | | (broom), and shrub roses of all kinds. |
| Include some early flowering plants, as early | | | | |
| spring is a critical time for many insects; | | | | In addition, where possible incorporate |
| | | | native tree and shrub species, such as |
| Include plenty of species where the nectar | | | | hawthorn, guelder rose, and elder in the UK, |
| and pollen is available near the surface of | | | | as these are particularly attractive to |
| the flower; | | | | native insects and birds. |
| | | | |
| Select simple flowers where the pollen and | | | | For more advice on gardening, visit the |
| nectar are easy for insect visitors to reach | | | | Garden School. |
| - avoid double flowers and others that are | | | | |
| difficult for insects to tackle. Also be | | | | To try a free home study gardening course |
| aware that some garden flowers are sterile. | | | | visit Learning Curve. |