During lock-down many gardens are receiving more attention than usual – and so this may be of interest.

How we can help other species

Our gardens are a vital resource for wildlife, providing corridors of green space between open countryside, allowing species to move about. In fact, the UK’s gardens provide more space for nature than all the National Nature Reserves put together. So why not try planting native plants and trees to entice birds, mammals, birds and invertebrates into your space? To find out more about encouraging wildlife into your garden, visit local Wildlife Trusts websites. All gardens should include some native wild plants. I have been amazed at the number of bees and other insects drawn to my flowering Pulmonaria (lungwort) in Bloxham recently. Nettles are great too.

Privet for Wildlife

If you have a privet hedge, don’t be tempted to be too quick to trim it. Please consider letting it flower, even if it’s just the top bit. You’ll be rewarded with the perfume, and it will attract moths and butterflies. A plant may produce thousands of fruits, most of which are eaten by birds, but they are toxic to humans so you may choose to trim it after flowering, before it sets the fruit. Privet is used as a food plant by the larvae of some moths and butterflies, including the common emerald, common marbled carpet, copper underwing, engrailed, mottled beauty, scalloped hazel, small angle shades, v-pug, privet hawk moth and willow beauty.
As Monty Don says, “don’t be too tidy”.
Belle Butterfly