Information, Resources & Advice

Plants, Gardens & Nature

Environmental Matters
Plants: Wildlife species

Encouraging wildlife, is not only a joy but is good for the garden, as many species whether frogs, spiders, hoverflies or hedgehogs are predators of the pests which may damage the garden. Wildlife can be encouraged by several means. Having a wild area or corner where grasses, wildflowers and even species like nettles can grow will encourage many species including butterflies, beetles etc... Introduced species like buddleias and flowers of Privet are very good attractors of bees and butterflies as they seek nectar. Dead wood piles provide good cover for many species and can act as areas for hibernation over winter. Ponds are a classic example which not only allow another habitat for a class of water plants but as home to frogs and other species provides wildlife interest and adds to a garden.

Butterfly attracting plants (native/wild) include: Bird's Foot Trefoil, Bramble, Heather, Honeysuckle, Nettle, Thistles. Pond plants: flag irises, bogbean, elodea (oxygenating), water hyacinth, water lillies.

In general, native species are better than introduced species for wildlife, as native species have evolved along side the wildlife. Native oaks are very species rich for their associated wildlife. DO NOT COLLECT WILD PLANTS FROM THE COUNTRYSIDE, AS THIS MAY DESTROY THE POPULATION OF RARE SPECIES. USE NURSERIES.

Non native but common species in the countryside: Sycamore, Beech, Lime, Poplar, Horse & Sweet Chestnut, Rhododendron, Fuschia, Crocosmia, Most Pines, Spruces, Firs and other conifers. One of the few native conifers is Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris).

Some Native Trees: Alder (Alnus glutinosa), Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Birch (Betula pubescens), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), Wild Cherry (Prunus avium), Crab Apple (Malus pumila), Elm (Ulmus glabra), Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), Hazel (Corylus avellana), Holly (Ilex aquifolium), Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea), Common Oak (Quercus robur), Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), Whitebeam (Sorbus aria), Goat Willow (Salix caprea), White Willow (Salix alba)