Wildlife friendly plants can be hard to find, especially as you must make sure they are native to the area so they don’t invade and takeover spaces. Choosing native plants helps to restore the balance of local eco systems while enjoying a self-sustaining garden.
Why wildlife friendly plants matter
There has been a significant decline in the wildlife because of the loss of habitats. Gardens cover a wide area which is why they have the potential to have a huge impact on the ecosystem. By using native plants, you can provide food and shelter for local wildlife, helping to reverse this biodiversity decline.
Top wildlife friendly plants
Red Campion
These beautiful, pink-flowered plants thrive in shady areas and attract insects. They look amazing in hedgerows and woodland edges.
Foxglove
A dramatic looking plant with tall spires which can come in a variety of colours and are loved by bees. They like partial shade and moist soil.
Bird’s-Foot-Trefoil
This is a low-growing yellow flowered plant which is a favourite of butterflies and provides nectar which is essential for pollinators.
Betony
A hardy perennial with purple flowers that attracts bees and other insects. The Betony thrives in grasslands and meadows.
Common Knapweed
A magnet for pollinators, knapweed produces purple flowers which come through all summer providing a long-lasting source of nectar.
Teasel
Teasel is perfect at attracting birds, especially goldfinches, which feed on its seed heads. It also provides shelter for insects.
Hawthorn
This is a native tree which is a powerhouse for wildlife, it offers nectar rich flowers in the spring, in the autumn it provides berries for birds and small mammals.
Oxeye Daisy
A wildflower which thrives in meadows and attracts a variety of pollinators, they are easy to grow and maintain.
Those are some wildlife friendly plants which will help to really make your garden have the biggest and most positive effect on insects in the area. But there are other things that can be done to make your garden as beneficial as possible for insects.
Tips for rewilding and wildlife friendly plants
1. Let your lawn grow
Reducing mowing frequency means wildflowers like daisies and clovers can flourish, creating a natural habitat for insects.
2. Weed less
Many weeds like teasel and deadnettle provide really good food sources for pollinators and should be encouraged to grow.
3. Wildlife shelters
Bug hotels, log piles and hedgerows offer critical shelter for insects, birds and small mammals.
4. Avoid pesticides and herbicides
Chemicals can harm insects which are beneficial to your garden, they also can disrupt ecosystems. Try and adopt organic gardening methods to maintain a healthy balance.
5. Plant in layers
Bring in a mix of plants to your garden trees, shrubs and ground cover plants to create a multitude of habitats which support numerous species.
Rewilding your garden through wildlife-friendly plants is the perfect way to contribute to conservations efforts, while at the same time being able to enjoy a lush, natural space.
Through choosing native wildlife friendly plants and practices, you can create an eco-system which thrives and can benefit from the beauty and nature of your garden. Start small, designate a specific area which you would want to try rewilding and use wildlife friendly plants.
Once you are happy with the area think about expanding and build on it. You can go as big or as small as you want, the main thing is having something in your garden which is rewilded and somewhere bugs and insects are able to flourish.
< Back to all posts