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