Create a wildlife haven
GOOD for birds, bees, butterflies and bats
GOOD for your children
GOOD for you
GOOD for the planet
Here’s a tiny selection of plants to attract wildlife
TREES AND HEDGES
Hawthorn, Holly, Rowan, Hazel, Crab Apple,
Apple, Yew
CLIMBERS
Ivy, Hop, Wild Honeysuckle, Rambling Rose
SHRUBS
Berberis, Hebe, Rosemary, Juniper
FLOWERS
Lavender, Echinacea, Hemp-agrimony,
Iceplant, Marjoram
Why do it?
Here’s some good reasons
❦ Wildlife is under threat, including once common creatures.
❦ Their habitat, places to find food and raise young, is disappearing. Gardens can help rebalance this loss.
❦ We need wildlife for pollination of food plants and to keep down pests, indeed our very survival depends on wildlife.
❦ Wildlife gardening is more relaxed, it is good for our well-being and will bring joy and interest to you and your family.
It doesn’t matter how large or small your space is, we can all make a difference.
Here’s some good ideas to start things off:
❦ Put in a pond
❦ Plant a small native tree, bush or even a hedge
❦ Fill the garden with plants, including nectar-rich climbers and bee-friendly flowers
❦ Allow the grass to grow taller in places
❦ Form a logpile or stickpile
❦ Make holes in fences for hedgehogs
❦ Put up bird and bat nesting boxes
❦ Put up insect houses
❦ Put up a birdfeeder
❦ Leave seedheads on over winter
❦ Go chemical-free
❦ Leave some corners less tidy
❦ Get the family involved
❦ Record your wildlife online at iRecord
Relax, observe, enjoy
You deserve it you’ve done something good
Check out these websites for lots of good ideas and advice:
wildlifetrusts.org/gardening
rspb.org.uk
rhs.org.uk
wlgf.org
buglife.org.uk
If you would like to get more involved locally in wildlife conservation visit:
www.mwhg.org.uk
www.transitionchichester.org
Thinking of things further afield
When out and about exploring please be aware of the disturbance that you and your pets can cause to wildlife.
Thanks to Adrian Thomas [Wildlife Gardening Forum] for his advice.