Planning a wildlife garden

Wildlife garden ideas: 25 ways to transform your plot into a nature-friendly space

(Image credit: Helen Elks-Smith Garden Design)

By Jill Morgan

last updated 23 September 2021

Wildlife garden ideas can be applied to all types of plot – even a tiny patio or courtyard. And, despite what you might think, you don't have to embrace an unruly, naturalistic style to support your local wildlife. Sleek, modern, and well-maintained spaces can be just as appealing to creatures great and small with the right features in place.

A successful wildlife garden will encourage all manner of animals, birds and insects to spend time in your space, helping you to get closer to nature in the process. Not only is this beneficial to the environment, but it's also good for the soul as it reduces stress levels and promotes feelings of wellbeing.

The key to any wildlife-friendly garden is to create as many different habitats for animals as possible. This could range from swathes of colorful planting fit for pollinators, a soothing water feature, a woodpile, or even a bug hotel. There are endless ways that you can do your bit for nature and raise your garden's style credentials in the process, too.

We've put together some of our favorite wildlife garden ideas to get you inspired. And once you've got the lowdown on how to get a nature-friendly space, take a look at our garden design ideas for more gorgeous updates.

1. Opt for prairie-style planting

A glorious garden in Dorset, UK designed by Helen Elks-Smith

(Image credit: Helen Elks-Smith Garden Design)

Billowing borders filled with tall perennial blooms and ornamental grasses is a gorgeous sight, and will give any plot a more naturalistic edge. It's ideal for softening areas of stone, like in this garden above designed by Helen Elks-Smith .

And, when it comes to wildlife garden ideas, this prairie style of planting is ideal. Not only will it attract butterflies, but birds will love it too as they forage for seeds.

What's more, the mix of textures and gentle movement as the scene sways in the breeze will add a soothing sense to your space. Take a look at our sensory garden ideas for more lovely designs.

2. Add a nature pond

A pool of water has many benefits to passing wildlife

(Image credit: Polly Eltes/Future)

Garden pond ideas aren't just visually pleasing additions for a plot, they're great for visiting insects and animals, too.

'Adding water to your garden is one of the best things you can do for wildlife, and every little bit helps!' says the team at RSPB . 'Ponds provide a source of drinking water, a spot to clean and cool down, and can even be a breeding spot for frogs and newts.' Plenty of aquatic plants will offer shelter, and bring extra greenery and interest to your garden.

Want to build your own? There's a handy step-by-step guide at the bottom of this feature.

3. Reflect the natural landscape

This gorgeous garden was designed by Helen Elks-Smith for the 2016 RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

(Image credit: Helen Elks-Smith Garden Design)

When thinking about wildlife garden ideas, take a cue from the natural landscape. This RHS-gold-medal-winning garden, designed by Helen Elks-Smith, is inspired by the landscape of Yorkshire, UK and makes a stunning example.

A gently flowing water feature curves through pockets of naturalistic planting, whilst harder landscaping features, including a dry stone wall, are made from local stone.

The scene is reminiscent of the meadows and woodlands of the wider natural environment and will welcome all manner of birds, bees, butterflies, and other creatures. However, it's perfectly balanced and still feels contemporary, so is sure to be loved by people, too.

4. Plant a tree

The Telegraph Garden designed by Sarah Price

(Image credit: Mabo/Alamy Stock Photo)

'Trees provide food, shelter and a nesting site for a whole range of animals,' says Chris Bonnett of GardeningExpress. co.uk . Insects make their home inside the tree, whilst birds will flitter overhead, their homes tucked between branches.

'The silvery white shade of the birch tree is stunning in more spacious gardens and makes a lovely home for feathery creatures,' he adds. It's also a good way to make your plot feel more private and shaded.

You could also opt for one of the best flowering trees for a stunning display of blossom, and to attract pollinators.

5. Build your own bird house

Why not build your own bird house as part of your wildlife garden ideas? This kit is from the National Trust

(Image credit: National Trust)

Investing in a bird house or two is a lovely feature for wildlife garden ideas. Hung up high, they'll provide a safe space for feathered friends to shelter and nest, which is crucial as their natural homes are increasingly destroyed in the wild.

There are tons of styles to choose from to match your theme. Or, if you fancy a weekend project, why not build your own from a kit like the one above?

Take a look at our bird house design ideas for inspiration.

A duo of stylish Beeposts by Green and Blue make a striking focal point

(Image credit: Green & Blue)

Made by mixing concrete and Cornish Granite aggregate, these tall and stately bee homes are designed to provide nesting opportunities for the sadly declining population of solitary bees.

Important for the pollination of crops and flowers these bees are non-aggressive, so completely safe to encourage into your garden. The contemporary posts work well in groups and contrast beautifully with any style of planting.

7. Provide a mini watering hole for birds

This gorgeous Turned green marble bowl from Crocus is a stylish way to support feathered friends

(Image credit: Crocus)

Having a supply of fresh water is just as important to birds as being fed, especially during the colder months. So why not bring a stylish bird bath into your plot? Not only will it be a lovely feature for your garden, but watching your feathered friends drink and splash about is sure to bring you joy.

This elegant design is simply stunning – the beautiful interior is enhanced by the water and creates a still, reflective pool when not occupied. Raise it up on a stone plinth or a neat side table to keep it out of reach from predators and refill with fresh water daily.

A couple of pebbles in the center will provide an extra handy perch. We've got lots more tips on how to attract birds into your garden in our handy guide.

8. Go for sculptural feeders

These bird feeders from Crocus have an on-trend, industrial look

(Image credit: Crocus)

As well as providing water for visiting birds, you can't go wrong with the addition of a best bird feeder or two. These designs above provide a safe and convenient feeding point and create an eye-catching statement too.

Hang them individually or suspend them from an overhanging branch, one below the other, using the co-ordinating hooks and brackets. Brass and copper finishes are a great choice for bird feeders as they look mesmerizing set against vibrant autumn leaves.

Wondering why birds aren't flocking to your feeder? It might be its position that's the problem. 'Birds like to feed from an accessible, secure, safely placed feeder,' says QVC ’s Gardening Expert, Michael Perry. 'Sometimes, if your feeder is placed out in the open and your garden is exposed to harsh winds or lots of rain, birds might feel that it is too unsafe for them to feed from.'

'Humans are large, noisy creatures, and birds can get spooked easily, so place it at the back of your garden or in an area where there is little movement,' he adds.

9. Grow flowers for pollinators

Dahlias are a perfect addition for your wildlife garden ideas

(Image credit: iBulb)

Did you know that flat-shaped blooms with open centers are a firm favorite with bees? These simple single flowers allow pollinators to easily feed from the middle, says Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director of Dobbies Garden Centres .

Dahlias, osteospermum, asters and heleniums are all great for late summer color and will provide nourishment right up until the first frosts. Check out Sarah Raven's extensive collection of dahlias and our guide to the best bee-friendly plants for more ideas.

10. Leave a gap for wildlife

When adding wildlife garden ideas to your plot, be sure to make ways for nature to get in and out

(Image credit: RSPB)

Yes, we all love privacy in our gardens (we've even collected together our favorite garden privacy ideas in our feature) but many of our smaller wild visitors need to be able to move freely on their search for food and shelter.

Hedgehogs, toads, newts, frogs and many other small mammals will travel a mile or more to mate and discover new hunting grounds, so it is important to link our green spaces together. Cutting small gaps at the base of wooden fences, incorporating short drainpipes above ground level when building new walls, and growing climbers up and over boundaries and buildings will all help to create wild byways and let these creatures thrive.

11. Plant a climber

A gorgeous rose arch in June at National Trust Mottisfont in Hampshire

(Image credit: Marianne Majerus/The National Trust)

Climbing roses have a double use – they are beautifully scented and give us a lot of joy as we spend time in our gardens, but at the same time they provide cover and shelter for a wide variety of wildlife.

Birds can nest in matured climbers and bees and butterflies can feed, rest and hibernate. Other good climbers to consider for wildlife garden ideas are honeysuckle and clematis. Both are lovely varieties to have in your garden and great choices for a cottage garden scheme.

Looking for more ideas? Take a look at our guide to the best climbing plants.

12. Put up nesting pockets

These brushwood nest pouches are from Simon King Wildlife

(Image credit: Simon King Wildlife)

Not just for small birds such as robins, treecreepers and wrens, nest pouches like these are popular with dormice and woodmice too.

Made with a strong metal frame which incorporates a handy rear hatch and a waterproof roof, they are tough enough to deter predators and are also easy to clean out. Position them in trees, climbers or woody shrubs at least 1m above the ground, and secure them in place using garden wire.

13. Encourage bats to your plot

The National Trust Glamis bat box from CJ Wildlife

(Image credit: CJ Wildlife)

Okay, so bats might have had something of a bad press of late, and we're probably not all keen on the idea of them flying around our heads. But, they need as much love and care as our other wildlife friends do.

They rely on nooks and crannies for shelter and roosting, and as buildings get knocked down or repurposed they often lose their homes. You can help them by popping a bat box or two up in your garden to provide a safe place for them to live and raise their young.

Wildlife garden ideas can be modern, too – check out this bird bath and feeder from Green & Blue

(Image credit: Green & Blue)

Want to bring nature into your garden without going rustic in style? Yes? Then this modern set-up is for you.

Made in Cornwall, UK using 75% China Clay waste, these bird bath and feeder designs have a pale, ethereal tone and a seductively smooth finish. Constructed from stacking cylinders you can choose the perfect height to suit your garden, before adding the final concentrically stepped dish on top. They'll make a stunning addition to your wildlife garden ideas.

15.

Go for a green roof as part of your wildlife garden ideas

A wildflower meadow on top of a roof is a lovely sight, and is great for wildlife garden ideas too

(Image credit: Wildflower Turf)

Turn a dull roof into a diverse habitat with flower-rich, living turf. Not only do the wildflowers and grasses attract a wide range of insects and birdlife, but they also make a beautiful, ever-changing display that's a delight to look out on.

There are many green roof systems available including interlocking pre-sown units, but established turf mats tend to be favoured by professional installers. Wildflower Turf has a carefully nurtured range of different turfs that can also be topped up with specialist seed scatter mixes and shade-tolerant bulbs.

Check out our feature on green roofs for more advice and inspiration.

16. Leave a wild area

Try planting the vibrant Native Enriched Wildflower Turf from Wildflower Turf as part of your wildlife garden ideas – it's a mix that is shade tolerant

(Image credit: Wildflower Turf)

No matter how big or small your outside space is, a grassy area that is left untouched is a surefire way to attract a wide range of bugs, amphibians, birds and mammals. Pick a quiet corner such as an area under a tree, or if you're short on space, a couple of window boxes will do. Sow with a meadow mix of seeds and it will soon draw in visitors.

If you are uber-keen to see results, give nature a hand by laying a few square metres of wildflower turf. There are plenty of different wildflower combinations available.

You can also learn about how to plant a wildflower meadow with our guide.

17. Plant a hedge

A hedge is a great addition to your wildlife garden ideas

(Image credit: Cuprinol)

'Hedges are an excellent way to naturally shelter your garden from strong winds, meaning it will protect your more delicate plants,' says Chris Bonnett of GardeningExpress.co.uk. 'They are a great alternative to fences, and help the wildlife in the garden thrive by providing them shelter and a home.'

Not only do they provide a safe nesting site, they often provide food. Plant a diverse variety of native species – such as hornbeam, hawthorn, holly and blackthorn – for maximum seasonal interest and added home security. Or, try beech or yew for a more uniform look that will retain its leaves all year.

Our guide to the best fast-growing hedges has lots of advice on how to create a new boundary in a hurry.

18. Step back from your mower

Let areas of your lawn grow wild

(Image credit: JoeGough/Getty Images)

Lawns provide a rich habitat for beetles, worms and other insects and are an important part of the eco system that allows birds, frogs, newts and hedgehogs to thrive. A perfectly manicured lawn is an achievement to most. But, for your wildlife garden ideas, try putting your best lawn mower to one side for a month or two. Or, you could keep a few sections free from cutting – such as this pretty pathway. Either way you'll be helping local wildlife to blossom.

You might even see some new wild varieties of flower popping up – buttercups and daisies, for example, will provide some lovely food for bees and butterflies. You may also spot some clover, too. This plant grows in most terrains, says Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director of Dobbies Garden Centres. They make great animal fodder and are a magnet for honeybees. 'Let a patch of your lawn grow and watch the bees flock to your garden,' he says.

19. Build a bug palace

A bug hotel makes a fabulous addition for wildlife garden ideas

(Image credit: Surrey Wildlife Trust)

Learning how to make a bug hotel is a project that the whole family can take part and take pride in. It's also a great way to tidy up your patch.

Start by creating a solid timber frame – a neat pile of wood pallets held firmly in place with timber stakes is a quick and easy option. Once everything is secure, fill the gaps with nesting materials. Try using everything from straw, twigs, pinecones, garden prunings, wood offcuts and even roof tiles.

Repeat some of the materials in different slots for a cohesive rather than chaotic look, and remember to plant up the occasional gap with compost and flowering creepers such as nasturtiums, heartsease and English lavender.

20. Bring in the butterflies

Grow flowers that butterflies will love as part of your wildlife garden ideas

(Image credit: RHS)

Marvel at the color and beauty of these winged beauties by enticing them into your garden. Recent national reports have shown a 76% decline in Britain’s butterflies over the last 40 years (and the US butterfly population is declining too) so it makes sense to do all we can to help them thrive.

Grow nectar-rich plants such as fragrant herbs, lavenders, nasturtiums and chrysanthemums in pots and borders and scented climbers such as star jasmine and flowering ivy. Many companies sell specific butterfly seed mixes which combine native flowering varieties with those that are popular with hungry caterpillars.

Head over to our guide on how to grow a butterfly garden for more advice.

21. Get composting for your wildlife garden ideas

Making your own compost is great for wildlife, and will save you money, too

(Image credit: Suttons)

Learning how to compost so you can create a compost heap in your garden will give a refuge to many wildlife species, such as woodlice, birds, slow-worms, grass snakes, beetles, hedgehogs and toads. It will provide a warm safe haven for them and will give you some goodness for your garden.

You can also recycle your kitchen and garden waste to make a rich organic compost, with a little help from the wildlife that will reside in it of course.

You can make your own composter with wood from a DIY store or even old pallets. Alternatively, head over to our best compost bin feature to find a ready-made one for your garden.

22. Keep your own bees

Try keeping your own bees as part of your wildlife garden ideas

(Image credit: Jacky Parker Photography/Moment/Getty Images)

Okay, it's a commitment – but if you want to go one step further with your wildlife garden ideas, then keeping bees is really rewarding. You get to watch their activities first-hand, learn about these insects that originated over a million years ago and, of course, enjoy your very own honey.

23. Add a small water feature

A wildlife friendly pond in a trough from Primrose

(Image credit: Primose)

Don't have room for a pond? Even the smallest of water feature ideas can attract a wide range of animals and insects. Choose a watertight container, ideally wait for it to fill with rain, and then add a few carefully chosen aquatic plants.

You will need to seek out slower growing, non-invasive species such as golden club and floating heart for smaller pots. But, if you want a hassle free and – of course – stylish combination check out the design above.

24. Plant up your paving

This garden, designed by Alexa Ryan-Mills Garden Design , includes paving planted with sedum

(Image credit: Alexa Ryan-Mills Garden Design)

Lifting the odd paving slab and filling the space with gravel and plants is a great way to soften the look of large paved areas. Plus, it provides extra run-off drainage and the chance to attract beneficial insects too.

Choose low-growing sun lovers such as sedums, gentians and sisyrincium. There are even some plants – creeping jenny and thyme for instance – that will cope with being driven over, so there is no excuse for not greening up your drive.

Take a look at our driveway ideas for more inspiration if you're after an update.

25. Don't tidy up!

Allow nature to take its course over the colder months

(Image credit: Charlotte Hussey/The Wildlife Trusts)

Having a neat and tidy garden during autumn and winter can actually hinder our garden friends. So, for your wildlife garden ideas, keep seed heads uncut for the birds, let the creepy crawlies shelter amongst the plant stems, and allow toads to hide under the leaves. Ladybirds love to overwinter around perennial plants too, so avoid the urge to cut them back.

Another good tip is not to dig your garden soil unless you are planting, or why not try the no-dig gardening method instead? Not digging really helps earthworm and beetle larvae populations to increase.

Trying this approach for your wildlife garden ideas is less work for you, and offers more support for the environment – a win-win in our books.

What are the best plants for wildlife garden ideas?

'Having a variety of different plants is best to help different types of wildlife,' says Chris Bonnett of GardeningExpress. co.uk. 'Bees, butterflies and pollinating insects will prefer flowers, whereas birds would prefer to hang out in a hedge or tree.'

'Bees and butterflies seek out nectar, it's all about food for them. A butterfly bush (as the name suggests) is well-loved and beneficial for our fluttery friends,' Chris continues. 'Interestingly, bees see color differently, and are attracted to varying shades of blue. Because of this, flowers like lavender are easy for them to spot and enjoy.' Learn how to grow lavender with our guide.

If you're opting for a hedge as part of your wildlife garden ideas, Chris recommends Japanese holly as a hardy and low-maintenance plant. It is becoming increasingly popular because it thrives in a multitude of growing conditions, he says. 'It is nothing like the well-known festive English holly in either growth or appearance,' he adds. 'Instead it is a lot softer and evergreen.'

Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director of Dobbies Garden Centres, also has some recommendations for wildlife garden ideas. He suggests the likes of honeysuckle for scrambling up trellises, as its sweet nectar attracts bumblebees. Marcus also suggests foxgloves: 'A cottage garden favorite, foxgloves are tall and elegant, with long-tongued bumblebees able to drink easily from the tubular shape of the flower. Full of rich nectar, the little tubes also add a pop of vibrant summer color to your garden,' he says.

In the UK, look out for plants that carry the RHS 'Plants for Pollinators' badge as a simple way to find plants that will attract pollinators, Marcus adds.

One other thing to consider, as the RSPB points out, is the the environmental implications of bedding plants. They may have been raised on an industrialised scale in huge heated glasshouses and shipped from overseas, the team says. 'The containers they are grown in do not usually recycle or biodegrade well and the plants are usually grown in peat.' Instead, look for native plants, including those that you can grow from seed. Learn more about how to grow flowers from seed in our guide.

A closer view of the pretty planting in this RHS-gold-medal-winning garden designed by Helen Elks-Smith

(Image credit: Helen Elks-Smith Garden Design)

How do you make a wildlife pond?

'It's such fun to help wildlife with a pocket pond – it needn't be big,' says Ellie Brodie, Senior Policy Manager at The Wildlife Trusts . 'All you need to do is fill an old sink or washing-up bowl with rainwater, plant it up and make sure that wildlife can get in and out – it's easy!'

You can also dig one straight into the ground if you have the space, then add a pond liner. Our guide on how to build a garden pond is full of practical advice.

Jill puts her love of plants and all things garden related down to the hours spent pottering around with her Nan and Grandad when she was little. Today she is lucky enough to have a garden of her own in Surrey, England, and spends much of her time writing about them too.

Wildlife garden ideas: turn a backyard into a natural haven

(Image credit: Jo Thompson Garden Design)

Wildlife garden ideas can bring innumerable benefits to us, our gardens and the environment, as well as wildlife.

With many of us spending more time in our backyards, it only adds to the enjoyment when we can observe bees, butterflies, birds and other creatures enjoying our outdoor spaces, too.

All gardeners have an important part to play in providing valuable shelter, habitats, food and water for wildlife, no matter how small or large your plot. There are endless easy ways you can do this, so add some of the ideas below to your garden ideas and welcome creatures great and small into your backyard.

(Image credit: Annaick Guitteny / Future)

Wildlife garden ideas

From building miniature ponds to providing hedgehogs with homes and growing plants for pollinators, there’s a whole range of wildlife garden ideas. A few simple changes in the way you manage your garden can help provide habitats to support a rich variety of species.

Even if you have the tiniest plot, add some of these tips to your other small garden ideas, and you'll soon see the benefits. Your beds and borders will flourish, while creating a food chain that manages the ecosystem of your garden.

These ideas can be used in any style of garden, from a sleek and contemporary urban plot, to a traditional country garden. ‘There is a perception that a wildlife garden means mess and that’s simply not the case – you can create many different aesthetics that can be beautiful, functional and teeming with life,’ explains garden designer Jo Thompson .

1. Grow plants for pollinators

(Image credit: Unsplash)

Plants are the single most important factor when it comes to creating a wildlife garden. Naturalistic planting design involves using a wide variety of the best performing flowers which require minimal maintenance, leaving them for wildlife to enjoy.

'Pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, hoverflies and moths rely on flowers that are rich in nectar and pollen for food,' says Simon Toomer, National Trust’s Plant Specialist. 'As they move from flower to flower they help to spread pollen and fertilize your plants, so it’s well worth looking after them – even in a small garden. '

‘As a general rule, the best plants for pollinators are single-flowering, open varieties, and not highly bred cultivars or multi-petalled varieties,’ explains Mick Lavelle, garden writer and author of The Illustrated Practical Guide to Wildlife Gardening .

To give the best chance, when planning your flower bed ideas, grow different types of pollinator-friendly plants so that there’s something in bloom for them all year round.

'The bigger the diversity of flowering plants the greater the number of insects will benefit and the more birds will come in to eat them,' explains garden designer Cheryl Cummings .

If you want to know how to attract butterflies, in particular, them tube-shaped flowers, such as foxgloves, are ideal for their long tongues as well as for long-tongued bees such as the garden bumblebee.

2. Build a bee house

(Image credit: Mandy Buckland/ Greencube Design)

All wildlife needs a place to shelter and one of the best wildlife garden ideas is to provide safe spaces where they can hide, nest and overwinter. This can range from simply leaving a pile of logs in a quiet corner or the garden to building your own bespoke bee house

‘Incorporate a bee house for overwintering pollinators, which can become a focal point in itself,’ suggests garden designer Mandy Buckland of Greencube Design .

You might think of bees as living in hives in large colonies, serving a queen and producing honey – but actually only about 10% of the bee species do this. The other 90% are solitary bees and don’t produce honey, although they are still very important as pollinators.

You can give solitary bees a hand by installing a bee house in your garden – which is where the females will lay their eggs – and then ‘plug’ the ends of the tubes with mud, plant hairs or leaves (depending on the species of bee).

3. Add a wildlife pond

(Image credit: Cheryl Cummings Garden Design)

Water is essential to all life and garden pond ideas attract a wide variety of insects and animals, and are valuable habitats for a multitude of aquatic species, so are wonderful wildlife garden ideas.

‘Birds will come to ponds and other water features to drink and bathe right through the year; in spring the frogs will lay eggs, while in summer you might see swimming newts, or damselflies and dragonflies zooming over the water,’ says Cheryl Cummings.

It doesn't have to be a big pond, but for best results, position it in a sunny location, away from overhanging trees, plant at least two thirds of its perimeter to enhance its wildlife value, and pond plants to oxygenate the water.

If your backyard doesn’t have space for a pond, 'a bird bath is a good alternative, just make sure that the water is full and clean,’ explains Jo Thompson.

Leaving out a tray of water that you refresh regularly even will be of great help to local wildlife – especially if you put some pebbles in it to give insects like bees a dry place to perch while they drink.

4. Avoid using chemical pesticides

(Image credit: Jo Thompson Garden Design)

Insects are the essential backbone of life in the garden, so one of the most important wildlife garden ideas is to avoid using pesticides, which can be highly toxic to beneficial insects.

‘Removing chemicals from your garden will ensure that our finely tuned eco-system will have the opportunity to find its natural equilibrium,’ adds Jo Thompson.

By creating a delicate balance between bugs, pests and their predators, you can improve the health and vitality of your garden, too.

The number one threat to pollinators are neonicotinoids – a type of pesticide which is highly toxic to bees, butterflies and other insects. When applied they spread throughout the entire plant – including to the pollen and nectar, and they can also persist in soil for years. Using pesticides to get rid of insects can also have a knock-on effect on birds and other wildlife, which rely on these for food.

5. Use natural pest control

(Image credit: Amateur Gardening)

Instead of using pesticides, there are a number of ways you can garden more organically and control pests in a natural way that are also wonderful ways to create an eco-friendly garden.

Here are a few alternative methods of pest control that are good wildlife garden ideas:

Hand picking

Although somewhat tedious, removing infestations by hand is a simple and effective method of pest control. Although not always practical where you have hundreds of tiny pests (like aphids), it works well for larger insects, slugs and snails. Unfortunately you’ll need to dispatch the pests after removing them, otherwise they’ll soon be back eating your plants.

Companion planting

Companion planting involves growing plants close together where one or both have beneficial effects on the other. For example, French marigolds emit a strong odor that deters whitefly and blackfly, so can be used to keep these bugs away from your tomato plants. Garlic, chives and alliums have a similar effect on aphids, so pop a few in among your roses to keep them safe.

Natural predation

Nurture an environment for natural pest control, create habitats for garden wildlife and they’ll often repay the favor by preying on pests. Birds, frogs, toads, slow worms, and hedgehogs will all make a meal out of your local slug population, while insects like ladybirds and hoverflies will take care of the likes of aphids, mites and mealybugs.

6. Create a hedgehog house

(Image credit: Photo by Alexas Fotos on Unsplash)

Hedgehogs are the gardener's friend, consuming huge amounts of pests, so why not build a hedgehog house in a far corner of your backyard?

Stack some old logs leaving a gap in the middle and cover them with leafy branches in a place where they won't be disturbed. Next spring, you may be lucky enough to have a whole family living in your garden, complete with a litter of hoglets.

If you're planning a bonfire, too, leave building it until the very last minute, as piles of wood and leaves are extremely appealing shelters to small creatures.

7. Feed the birds

(Image credit: Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash)

Bird feeders are great garden wildlife ideas as a way to encourage birds into your garden, and they also provide them with vital support over winter when food is scarce.

If you’re feeling crafty, why not make an up-cycled bird feeder from materials you probably have lying around at home?

Early fall is a vital time for feeding birds as they need help to them get through the coming winter, and there are things to consider when feeding birds in winter. High energy foods such as fat balls are ideal but always remove the mesh bags, as these can trap tiny feet.

Don't forget that a ready supply of fresh water is even more important than food – especially in winter. Top up bird baths daily and you could be saving lots of lives.

8. Plant the right flowers

(Image credit: RHS)

The great news is that often what is attractive to wildlife – bright berries, a lovely fragrance or abundant blooms – is also extremely attractive to gardeners.

Sunflowers

Find out how to grow sunflowers to fill the garden with these cheery, yellow flowers. Look out for the branching options that make great temporary hedges. Plant at the back of borders where the seedheads can be allowed to ripen, attracting masses of wild birds including tits and finches.

Viper's bugloss

Also known as echium, this attractive native plant has 60cm tall spikes of bright blue flowers. Easily grown from seed, it blooms from June to September and is ideal planted at the back of a herb garden. The multiple flower heads are thick with nectar and attract a huge range of different butterflies.

Pyracantha

Ideal for wildlife gardens this shrub has glossy dark green leaves, pretty flowers in spring and is covered in stunning red, orange or yellow berries in fall. Hedgehogs love this evergreen shrub as it has thorny branches that arch to the ground, providing a year-round source of shelter.

9. Introduce fragrance and color with lavender

(Image credit: Future / James Robinson)

This classic favorite among cottage garden plants has pretty blue-green foliage covered in masses of fragrant lilac blooms from June to August.

Once you get to grips with how to grow lavender, you'll be wanting to dot the fragrant plants all over the garden and is an addition to your wildlife garden ideas that has numerous benefits and uses.

Plant in full sun and prune after flowering to keep in shape. Lavender attracts a huge variety of honey bees and bumble bees. Plant a few different varieties to extend the flowering period.

10. Add a balcony bird feeder

(Image credit: Future / Holly Jolliffe)

If you have no backyard but a balcony garden, you can still enjoy watching all manner of colorful wild birds, simply by investing in a bird feeder.

Fill it with peanuts or hulled sunflower seeds for a high-energy, low-mess treat that will attract a wide range of different species including blue tits and robins. Clean feeders regularly with hot soapy water and dry thoroughly before refilling.

11. Delay garden maintenance

(Image credit: Mandy Buckland/ Greencube Design)

A few simple changes in the way you manage your garden can help provide habitats to support a rich variety of species.

‘Avoid being over zealous in deadheading some of your garden edging or border plants in fall and wait until spring, with the obvious exception of those that are likely to self seed and become a nuisance,’ advises Mick Lavelle.

Leaving seed heads on plants provides food for birds and insects during the leaner months, or allow nettles, one of the best sources of food for caterpillars and some butterfly species, to grow in unseen areas, suggests Jo Thompson.

‘Also leave the lawn to grow, allow its weeds to flower and insects will feast on the banquet they provide,’ adds Cheryl Cummings.

Simply leave the mower in the shed until the end of June, or at least reduce the frequency of mowing to once every four weeks. This will allow all sorts of flowers such as red and white clovers, daisy, self-heal and dandelion to spring up in your lawn, which the bees and butterflies will love.

12. Plant purple flowers

(Image credit: Polly Eltes / Future)

It’s worth bearing in mind that among the best flowers that attract bees are purple blooms, as bees can see the color purple more clearly than any other color.

They are often attracted to the purple or blue flowers often seen in a sensory garden, and if you are looking into beekeeping for beginners, then nectar rich purple lilac, lavender, salvias and perovskia are among the many pollinator friendly plants to plan near to your bee hives.

13. Instal a bird box

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Garden birds are great at slug and snail control, plus there’s nothing more relaxing and enjoyable than sitting outside on a sunny day, listening to a chorus of birdsong and watching winged visitors alighting on branches.

If you have the room, install a bird box to give your local feathered friends somewhere to raise their young. Bird boxes are best installed in late February before the nesting season gets going, but you could always put one up now for next year.

November is also the perfect time to clear out existing bird boxes and position new ones.

14. Make a bug hotel

(Image credit: Mandy Buckland/ Greencube Design)

There are many kinds of bugs that can help you keep pests at bay in the garden – such as ladybirds, which eat aphids, and centipedes that prey on soil-dwelling pests such as mites, baby snails, and slugs. The rewilding garden trend has seen many gardeners put the control of pests back in the hands of nature.

‘You can get creative about how you reuse other natural materials to create dry spaces for bugs and other wildlife,’ suggests Jo Thompson.

Learning how to make a bug hotel will provide plenty of hidey-holes for useful bugs, and it’s a great way to use up materials you might have lying around. An old wooden pallet makes a great base, and you can then fill it with various materials such as cardboard tubes, old flowerpots, straw, pinecones, bits of bark and bundles of twigs. Top it off with old roof tiles, turf, logs or a pile of leaves.

15. Include native trees and shrubs

(Image credit: Getty Images)

‘Native hedges can provide important wildlife habitats,’ explains John Wyer, CEO of Bowles & Wyer .

If space permits, large trees and shrubs will provide perches and nesting sites for many birds. ‘Those that produce seeds or fruit are often a valuable source of food for many birds in fall or winter, too,’ explains Mick Lavelle.

If you are after quick results, you can plant some of the best fast growing shrubs to provide food and habitats for wildlife, or evergreen shrubs to give them a place to shelter throughout the year

16.

Plant a wildflower meadow

(Image credit: The Garden Design Company/ Mark Lord)

A wildflower meadow is a wonderful garden wildlife idea.

Preparation of wildflower meadows is key, explains Rob Jones, director of The Garden Design Company .

‘You need to consider whether it will be annual or perennial, and different wildflower mixes will suit different soil conditions and aspects,' he adds.

There is the option to use wildflower seeds, plug plants or wildflower turf. You could also learn how to make wildflower seed bombs.

Wildflower meadows are best sown in fall, or early spring as a second best, Rob advises.

How do you plan a wildlife garden?

Diversity is one of the key things to consider in a successful wildlife garden. Plant a range of flowers, trees, climbers and shrubs that bloom at different times, and ensure you include plenty of evergreen plants for cover.

Hedge your bets and plant a mixture of shrubs along the edges of all your boundaries where possible. Hedgerows provide food and nesting sites for birds, shelter for small mammals, green corridors to allow wildlife to move safely from garden to garden and a host of other benefits.

Avoid pesticides as these can kill many of the beneficial insects, birds and hedgehogs that will help you to create a natural balance on your plot. Instead, rely on permaculture gardening, which will help you easily create a garden that operates like nature does, relying little on extra resources you need to buy, bring in or add – such as fertilizers and watering systems.

Finally, recycle kitchen and garden waste on your compost heap. As well as creating useful food for your plants, compost heaps can shelter a variety of interesting animals – including slow worms that get rid of slugs.

What are good wildlife flowers?

There is an endless choice of flowers that are good for a wildlife garden. Include some of the following to provide food for essential pollinators, as well as habitats for some beneficial insects:

Foxgloves are magnet for bees
Salvia
Echinacea
Leucanthemum
Cephalaria gigantea is a great self-seeder and magnet for bees, says Mandy Buckland
Nepeta – 'we cut this back after flowering and feed with organic fertilizer and then you may then get three flourishes in the summer,' explains Mandy Buckland
Alliums – 'if you choose carefully you can extend the flowering season from the early alliums, such as 'Purple Sensation' to later flowering alliums, such as 'Christophii',' says Mandy.
Perovskia

This only brushes the surface of the range of plants ideal for a wildlife garden and the more diverse the mix in your backyard, the better for a healthy garden, and healthy wiidlife.

Rachel is senior content editor, and writes and commissions gardening content for homesandgardens.com, Homes & Gardens magazine, and its sister titles Period Living Magazine and Country Homes & Interiors. She has written for lifestyle magazines for many years, with a particular focus on gardening, historic houses and arts and crafts, but started out her journalism career in BBC radio, where she enjoyed reporting on and writing programme scripts for all manner of stories. Rachel then moved into regional lifestyle magazines, where the topics she wrote about, and people she interviewed, were as varied and eclectic as they were on radio. Always harboring a passion for homes and gardens, she jumped at the opportunity to work on The English Home and The English Garden magazines for a number of years, before joining the Period Living team, then the wider Homes & Gardens team, specializing in gardens.

forest and field plants in the garden

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Garden with wild elements: forest and field plants in the garden

Planning
Warnings
Forest corner
Lawn
Gorka
Pond bank

landscaping
landscape design
Landscaping of the site
Garden with wild elements: forest and field plants in the garden

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Nowadays naturalness is in trend. This trend has not bypassed landscape design. Landscape parks with elements of wildlife are now at the peak of popularity both in the design of urban public spaces and home gardens.

Many people are attracted by the idea of recreating their own personal corner of a real wild nature - one that you can’t buy for any money, but only in an improved, picturesque form. And on this path, an unimaginable scope opens up for the gardener's imagination, because the source of ideas - nature - is inexhaustible. You can create your own forest edge, a small pond, a mountain area, a birch grove - everything that the size, topography and climate of the site allow.

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Planning
Warnings
Wooded area
Lawn
Slide
Pond bank

Planning

When planning your natural garden, it is advisable to start from what plants grow independently on your site. Perhaps some forest trees are already growing there, or there is a piece of meadow, or your site is partially swampy. It will be easier to achieve impressive results if you use the existing features of your site.

In addition, it will be much easier to care for such a romantic landscape garden - after all, wild flowers differ from their garden counterparts in unpretentiousness, and the selection of plants that will grow comfortably in your garden has already been made in a natural way. Yes, and planting material will not be expensive: you can move your favorite flower or bush to your flower bed directly from the forest.

Warnings

The only restriction is to make sure that the specimen you like is not in the Red Book, in which case it is better to leave it in place and try to propagate the plant by seeds or vegetatively.

One more word of caution: make sure the plant you choose for your garden is not an aggressor. In this case, it can also be planted on the site, but it will be necessary to create artificial restrictions for the distribution of this guest on an undesirable scale.

We have put together a short list of examples of plants that can be planted for different types of wild landscape gardens.

Forest corner

Lungwort, hellebore, liverwort, anemones - shade-loving forest primroses that will be the first to decorate your personal piece of the forest. Forget-me-nots and forest violets can continue the baton, and lilies of the valley will fill your site with a delicate aroma in May. All summer, forest geranium, Ivan da Marya, and flax will be able to bloom. Periwinkle with its blue star-shaped flowers will be good as a ground cover. Ferns, junipers, elder and bergenia will add architecture and versatility to the forest corner. In autumn, the garden will be decorated with rowan, euonymus.

It is interesting that in all European languages the name of the flower "forget-me-not" has the same meaning.

Lawn

Siberian blueberry can cover the entire lawn with a blue cloud immediately after the snow melts. Primroses such as coltsfoot, spring primrose, goose onion are suitable for the lawn. Bluebells, cornflowers, field cloves, chamomile and similar to it leucanthemum, adonis, mullein, lupine, corostavnik will feel great on your lawn. Oregano and bedstraw will attract bees and beautiful butterflies to the site. You can plant on the lawn and wild strawberries.

Hill

Rock gardens have long and firmly taken pride of place in many suburban areas. You can bring some types of stonecrops, immortelle, goose onions and wild onions, feather grass, heather to your alpine hill from the wild.

Pond bank

The most romantic version of a landscape garden is the wet bank of a reservoir. Here from the forest you can bring wild irises, bathing suit, aquilegia, buttercups and cuff.

Water lilies and water lilies look luxurious in the garden, but for them it will be necessary to think over wintering.

The largest of all water lilies is the Amazonian Victoria: the diameter of its leaves, capable of supporting the weight of a small child, can reach 2.5 m. In Russia, it was first grown back in 1864 in the St. Petersburg Botanical Garden.

Such a blessed corner will become your pride and favorite place of rest.

Heading: Landscaping

Many people are attracted by the idea of recreating their own personal corner of real wild nature - one that you can't buy for any money, but only in an improved, picturesque form. And on this path, an unimaginable scope opens up for the gardener's imagination, because the source of ideas - nature - is inexhaustible. You can create your own forest edge, a small pond, a mountain plot, a birch grove - everything that the size, topography and climate of the site allow.