The
native versus non-native argument is one that has existed as
long as wildlife gardening has been popular. In general the
key to a well populated wildlife gardening that buzzes with
life is to ensure great diversity in both native and
non-native plants, whether they are herbaceous perennials,
annuals, trees or shrubs. However work by the British Trust
for Ornithology suggests that given the choice, birds prefer
to nest in native shrubs rather than non native, although the
reasons for this were not immediately apparent. But the
reasons for the birds’ choices are not important at this stage
of our understanding. It is sufficient to know that native is
good and we can all do something about planting more native
shrubs, even in the smallest garden.
Although the ideal boundary for a wildlife garden is a mixed
native hedge, brimming with fruits and berries and bristling
with thorns, this isn’t always an easy option in a small urban
garden. The narrow garden of the Victorian terrace where I
grew up would have disappeared completely between two good
hedges, but a single hawthorn in one corner, pruned heavily
late in the winter after the berries had been eaten, made a
wonderful wildlife habitat with a nesting song thrush every
spring. As often as not when we acquire a new garden we need
to be content with either a fence or an existing privet
hedge. The latter is always preferable and few of us would
want to uproot a living barrier that already provides us with
shelter and seclusion and has a certain amount of wildlife
value. Privet is, after all a native species and although the
varieties commonly grown for hedging are not quite the true
native, they still provide food for the privet hawk moth
caterpillar and if left to flower will attract a wide range of
nectar-seeking insects. A hedge such as this can also be made
more wildlife friendly with the addition of climbers.
Growing a native shrub But as my parent’s tiny
garden showed, native shrubs need not be confined entirely to
our boundaries. A single specimen of a well chosen native may
be planted in a corner and kept within bounds with judicious
pruning, or allowed to grow into a specimen plant. Most
native shrubs adapt well to these conditions and the best of
these wildlife magnets cope with all soil types. Planting in
a corner ensures better protection for nesting birds and if
your chosen shrub is prickly it is even more likely to be used
to raise a family. And don’t underestimate the power of these
plants to attract other wildlife. It’s not just birds
that use their shelter and eat their berries. Small mammals
are attracted to the fruits of hawthorn, dog rose, hazel,
dogwood, blackthorn, field maple and buckthorn amongst
others. Best of all these plants have huge numbers of small
invertebrates associated with them, eating their leaves, buds
and bark or feeding on the pollen and nectar produced by their
flowers. These smaller creatures bring in the insectivorous
birds such as warblers and provide food for the nestlings of a
great variety of species. Many of our native moths feed on
their leaves and these overlooked creatures play an important
part in the garden food chain; their caterpillars provide food
for young birds, shrews and hedgehogs, and the adult moths are eaten
by bats. In all they really are wonder plants!
How
and when to plant Any time between October and March
is a suitable time to plant a native shrub. Take as much care
as you would with any new shrub, even if your plant is a home
grown seedling or a bare rooted plant from a nursery. As with
all trees and shrubs, preparation and care now pays dividends
in the longer term. Dig a hole larger than the root ball and
break up the soil at the bottom with a fork. Add a good amount
of well rotted compost, position your shrub, making sure to
release the root ball a little if it has been pot grown, by
teasing out some of the roots. Carefully back fill around the
roots adding a little more compost if you wish and add a final
mulch compost after firming the plant in. At this time of
year you may find your local nursery has bare rooted native
shrubs. These will be smaller than pot grown specimens but
soon catch up if planted with care and watered in dry weather.
The
top five native shrubs for wildlife
Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn is a well known tree or shrub and the fruits or haws
are edible. They can be added to hedgerow jams and jellies
but are best left to feed the birds! Hawthorn is one of our
prickly native shrubs making it an ideal choice if you want to
encourage nesting birds. Although technically a small tree it
responds well to pruning to keep a shrub-like shape and is a
perfect choice for a hedge, making a good thick barrier.
Attracts many bird and mammal species, is great for nests
and has over 200 species of invertebrate associated with it
including the lovely brimstone moth and the strange Chinese
character moth which looks like a bird dropping!
Goat Willow Salix capraea Goat,
or pussy willow, to give it its more attractive common name,
is perfect for a wildlife garden as it can be coppiced on an
annual basis much like a buddleia. This means it will never
out-grow its position. Although not spiny like the hawthorn
and not a berry bearer, it does have the advantage of
attracting large numbers of insect to its flowers and leaves.
The pretty fluffy catkins have masses of pollen early in the
spring and are visited avidly by both honey bees and
bumblebees – this pollen is an important source of food for
these insects when they first emerge from hibernation.
Attracts early bees and butterflies and has over 250
invertebrate species associated with it including the pebble
prominent and leopard moths.
Holly Ilex aquifolium Holly
is another excellent choice for a wildlife corner but can be
rather more slow growing than willow or hawthorn. It does
though have the advantage of being evergreen and therefore
produces a good screen. As it is also prickly, it is a
species often chosen by birds as a safe nest site.
Attracts the thrush family especially redwings and fieldfares
to the berries, honey bees and bumblebees, and is a good bird
nesting shrub.
Dogwood Cornus sanguinea
Dogwood might need a little more space than some of the other
species mentioned as it does have a habit of spreading
underground. However if you want a green screen that fills a
space with attractive leaves in summer and autumn, red stems
in winter plus flowers and berries, then this could be a great
choice. Dogwood comes in many species and varieties but our
native is excellent.
Attracts birds and small mammals and the female holly blue butterfly
will lay her eggs on the flower buds.
Dog
Rose Rosa canina Our
native wild roses may not have the depth of scent of some
cultivated varieties but they have a charm of their own.
Varying in colour from almost white to a proper girly pink,
the dog rose can enhance any garden however small. Its
scrambles rather than climbs into other shrubs or can be
planted against a fence or wall, although it will need to be
secured in some way. Don’t underestimate the prickliness of
this plant – the thorns can be pretty spiky so make sure if
you do decide to plant this – and it really is worthwhile –
then make sure it is not in a place that receives lots of
passing traffic.
Attracts birds, small mammals, bees, hoverflies and moths
including the vapourer and common emerald.
Expand the wildlife value
If you are short of space
in your garden, don’t assume that you have no room for a
native shrub. You could plant a hawthorn or goat willow,
dogwood or hazel and nestle a wild rose at its base to clamber
through the branches. Cut a few big stems back hard to the
ground in late winter every year to prevent the rose getting
too thick and spiky. Place a nest box in amongst the
branches for a robin or wren and create a small log pile at
the base to make a complete ‘woodland edge’ habitat.
Grow Your Own from Seed If you have the patience, you
could grow some wild shrubs of your own from seed. Get the
kids involved too by encouraging them to collect a few hips
and haws, hazelnuts, dogwood berries or field maple keys this
month.
Remove any fleshy parts and sow them in gritty compost in pots
which should be left outside through the winter. Some, such as
hazel and hawthorn may germinate next spring but others may
take another year. Pot up and grow on until they are large
enough to plant out. It may take a while but you will have a
great sense of satisfaction! |
