Planting for wildlife is a no brainer. It’s something that is drilled into us continuously, that we can provide habitats, food and nesting grounds for a variety of different species if we only add some plants to our gardens – but where do you start?
In this guide, we look at the various different plants you can add to your garden for different species. We look at nocturnal flowing for moths, dense foliage for birds and nectar rich for pollinators.
These are some of my favourite plants to add for wildlife. They may not all be native to your area but I have included some from across the world to ensure we all have something we can use.
Shrubs
Lavender (Evergreen, Mixture of foliage)
Heavily scented a mixture between shrub and flower, easy to grow, prune annually to keep compact, drought tolerant, provides a good food source of pollinators but also thick coverage for ground feeding birds.
Camellias (Evergreen, Open foliage)
Can be grown on trellis, different varieties have different bloom times. Partial shade and well-drained soil. Good space saver and provides shelter and a nesting site for birds.
Holly (Evergreen, Open foliage)
Provides refuge from predators & winter berries, tolerates any soil and easy to grow. Provides nectar and pollen for insects during the summer months.
Pollen-rich flowers
DAY FLOWERING
On the ground:
Ideally we want to ensure a variety of flower head shapes to meet the needs of our nectar-seeking garden visitors. For example; birds will take to larger flowers, bumblebees prefer tube-like flowers and solitary bees and butterflies prefer flat-headed flowers.
Easiest to plant, variety of head shape and hardy nectar-rich plants:
- Lavender
- Buddleja
- Foxgloves
- Bluebell
- Daffodil
- Cornflower
- Hellebores
- Snowdrops
Climbing plants:
- Honeysuckle
- Star Jasmine
- Clematis
- Wisteria
- Dog Rose
- Climbing Hydrangea
- Ivy
NOCTURNAL FLOWERING
These flowers are pretty during the day but they truly come into their own during the evenings and the night. They’re the perfect additions to any garden to attract those visiting during the night.
Easiest to plant, durable and nectar-rich plants:
- Evening Primrose
- Tuberose
- Night Phlox
- Nicotiana alata ‘Jasmine’
- Night Gladiolus
- Night-scented Orchid
- Winter Honeysuckle
- Night-blooming Jasmine
- Ivy
fruit & berries
Crab Apple: A tree which produces small apples throughout the autumn and winter months with flowers appearing in late spring for pollination. Provides perfect resources during peak migration points continuing through to the winter months.
Hawthorn: The most iconic berry tree and one that delights many of our garden visitors. Despite its thorny twigs and ragged appearance, Hawthorns provide a massive food resource for our garden birds such as waxwings, thrushes and starlings to enjoy during the winter with its bright red berries attracting many.
Rowan: Delicate white flowers grace the Rowan tree during the summer months making it great for pollinators. Not only is it great for pollinators and feeding butterflies, but during the autumn and winter months, the trees produce bundles of red berries, ideal for our winter garden visitors particularly thrushes although tits/chickadees and wintering warblers will also enjoy.
Blackberry: One that many gardeners want to remove from their gardens, but blackberry bushes, otherwise known as bramble bushes, provide a lot of shelter and refuge for birds. As they are thorny bushy, they provide solace from predators, their spring flowers and summer fruits attract many pollinators and a favourite of birds.
Raspberries: Perfect for growing vertically and provides fruit throughout the summer months or choose autumn fruiting varieties to have autumn fruits. These fruits are brilliant for us to enjoy but also provide fruit for birds such as warblers, tits/chickadees and wrens to eat as well as invertebrates to feed upon which in turn will feed garden visitors.
seeding plants
There are plants we can add to our gardens that provide seeds for birds, mammals and can also be used in food mixes or left to self-seed.
- Sunflower
- Thistle
- Milo
- Foxglove
- Nigella
- Crane’s Bill
- Field Scabious
- Dahlia
Have a go at planting your gardens for wildlife. Many of these plants can either be planted directly into your garden, or put them in pots to save some space or if you have limited space to begin with.
WildSpace 