More About Wildlife Gardening (5)

When planning a wildlife garden there is much to think about, in the beginning there is so much excitement that plants tend to be put in where ever, this doesn't matter. Part of the charm of a wildlife garden is that it is not regimented, turning corners can bring delightful surprises. For instance flowering plants can be tucked in to any space and later on if you wish you can move them. Share plants with friends and neighbours, never discard them. Choosing plants with wildlife in mind means that sharing them will help wildlife, not only in your garden but all around you as well.

Never refuse a plant, pop it into a little corner or space and in time it will reward you. Don't be tempted to cut off seed heads in the autumn, seeds attract many hungry birds and if you look into the seed head, you will be surprised at how many insects overwinter in them, also food for birds. We enjoy goldfinches in our garden all year, however throughout the winter whole flocks are drawn to the garden by the little headed geranium with its dark purple flowers, Geranium Phaeum or otherwise known as the Dusky Cranesbill or Mourning Widow. It is a useful plant having quite a neat habit, it has medium sized fresh green leaves with dark purple blotches, it flowers for a good time and is happy anywhere, even in very dry earth and under the deep shade of trees.

We enjoy goldfinches in our garden all year.

Buying a plant? Look for nectar rich flowers, these will encourage bees, butterflies and other insects to your garden. This also applies to to shrubs, but look for shrubs that flower in spring, summer or autumn and then produce autumn and winter berries. Cotoneasters are a good example of this, their branches are thickly covered in spring with flowers that are so attractive to bees that they smother the flowers. In the autumn the branches on this wonderful plant are weighed down by the  amazing amount of  bright red berries covering them, by late November these will have disappeared down the throats of very hungry birds. These berries also attract redwings and fieldfares mainly from Scandinavia to our garden, as well as our own thrushes and blackbirds. Cotoneasters can be grown as trees or kept as shrubs by pruning.

Always be aware when gardening with wildlife in mind, you are trying to supply wildlife with their needs which are much the same as ours. Creatures need a place to shelter, rest, hide and nest and if the place provides food as well then it is perfect.

Next time woodpiles and ponds.