Garden for Wildlife
(Part One)

Perhaps the easiest way to garden for wildlife is by making different choices. In this case, instead of buying plants such as petunias that have a very short lifetime and probably may end up in the green bin in a few short weeks' time. Most of those varieties have no merit for wildlife, and are sprayed with butterfly and bee-killing pesticides such as neonicotinoids (Yes, although extremely harmful to humans and illegal, these are still being used in gardening!). 

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Instead, how about go for the wildlife - friendly, hardy options that will last, instead of six weeks, about six years, such as Dutch Lavender 'Gros bleu'. Or you can go for the annuals such as Cornflower and Poppy that give a short blast of colour in the summer. 

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You can choose how to arrange these plants too, go for a mini Wildflower meadow (Look on the Wildlife Trusts website for details), add a butterfly - friendly herbaceous border, sprinkle a couple of Cornflower in a pot, or, if you live in a flat, hook up a hanging basket by your windowsill.

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Below, I list the 20 varieties I find most effective.

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Perennials that last over five years (Long-term species)

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1. Verbena Bonarensis. Any Variety. Excellent for butterflies, all bees, and even some magnificent longhorn beetles!

Add this variety to a herbaceous border, a meadow, or even just a few in a pot or hanging basket.

2. Dutch Lavender.'Gros Bleu'. Any kind of lavender will do, but bees and butterflies love this type!

Plant anywhere on the ground, but this species doesn't like pots!

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3. Fennel. Any flowering variety. This is an excellent option if you want to boost your general invertebrate population. 

Plant anywhere on the ground, especially in a vegetable patch as you can eat the fresh green leaves as a herb.

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4. Foxgloves. Any Variety. These work well in the shady corner of gardens, being a favourite of Bumblebees.

Plant in shady ground, good as a plant filling up shady spots in a border.

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5. Single Flowered dahlias. Some of the most nectar-rich flowers anywhere. Unfortunately, double - flowered varieties are no use to wildlife. Ideal for attracting bees and butterflies.

Plant in a sunny location. I am unsure if they can grow in pots/hanging baskets.

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Perennials that last between two and five years (Long-term species)

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6. Campanula bellflowers. These provide food for Bumblebees, and some non-stinging solitary bees.

The smaller varieties look very attractive in a hanging basket, the larger being better on the ground.

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7. Knapweed (Greater or Black). A native species that can be found all around Cambridge. Good for all nice types of pollinators. I would strongly recommend this variety.

Plant in all sunny conditions, including hanging baskets and pots.

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8. Chives. Bumblebees  and hoverflies love this species, it can be also used to ward off cats, who do not like the smell.

Plant in any condition. This species does particularly well in pots. It is a herb, so plant in a kitchen garden.

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9. Wild Carrot. A lovely native plant good for boosting general invertebrate numbers. 

Plant anywhere you see fit.

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10. Honeysuckle. Another native, this time having a wonderful dreamy scent. The best garden plant for moths.

Plant in the ground in shade OR sun, and ensure to train onto a wall, plant or cane.

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Annuals and Biennials (Short-term species)

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All the following are meadow plants, ideal for a hanging basket meadow, potted meadow, or a more traditional ground meadow.

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11. Cornflower. A stunning burst of blue colour, ideal for overflies, bees and beetles.

Works in a potted or traditional meadow, or simply on its own.

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12. Poppy. red, large petals. ideal for more or less the same things as Cornflower, and they both work well in the same pot.

Works in a potted or traditional meadow, or simply on its own.

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13. Common Vetch. This small, dainty pink flower has lovely leaves as well as flowers. It is good for solitary bees. My favourite meadow flower.

Works in a potted or traditional meadow, or simply on its own.

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14. Corncockle. Another pink species, now extinct in its once-native England, but still a popular garden plant. Good for hoverflies and bees.

Works in a potted or traditional meadow, or simply on its own.

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15. Lamb's Ear. This member of the mint family has beautiful white leaves that encourage the wonderful Wool Carder Bee. 

Works in a potted or traditional meadow, or simply on its own.

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Trees and Shrubs (Long-term species)

The following take up quite a lot of space, so can only work in gardens.

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16. Hawthorn. This tree puts on a show all year round, and is one of the best plants to put in your garden. It encourages most pollinators, and so much more!

Plant in a hedge, or in a large empty part of your border.

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17. Cherry. The blossom may look good to the eye, but it is a welcome early snack for bees freshly out of hibernation.

Plant in a hedge, or in a large empty part of your border.

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18. Buddleia. Also known as Butterfly Bush, this is the best possible option. Do not use variety davidii as it is an invasive species.

Plant in a large, sunny spot in the ground.

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19. Ivy. Ivy may not seem like such a pollinator-friendly plant, but its flowers are a perfect source of nectar if you want to boost your general invertebrate population, such as the Ivy Bee. 

Plant against a hedge or wall in a sunny location if you want flowers.

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20. Blackthorn. This hardy shrub is a great early source of nectar for bees. It is not ideal for young children due to the fact that it has large thorns and cuts take weeks to heal.

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