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Home , Agrimonia, Caltha palustris, Centaurea montana, Cosmos bipinnatus, Cotoneaster frigidus, Helleborus niger

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance , landscapes and in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings. for wildlife-friendly www.naturalengland.org.uk © Natural England 2007

ISBN 978-1-84754-020-1 Catalogue code NE29

Written by Steve . Designed by statusdesign.co.uk Front cover image: Herbaceous border. Jim Foster/Natural England www.naturalengland.org.uk Plants for wildlife-friendly gardens This leaflet lists some of the many For example, highly bred double- plants which can help to attract flowered varieties produce little or no wildlife to your garden. While plants or and so are not of that occur naturally in England – native interest to bees, butterflies or other – do have more to offer some pollinating .

forms of wildlife, recent research has Cowslips. Paul Glendell/Natural England seriously challenged once- conventional view that native flora is always best. It is now clear that many cultivated varieties and exotic plants are also good for wildlife, provided that their are not too complex.

Please note Garden plants should never be planted changing the composition of the out in the wild and, similarly, wild soil. Various introduced aquatic plants should never be dug up to be plants have caused even greater planted in the garden. havoc, and it has so far proved Digging up wild plants is illegal. It is impossible even to prevent their also usually pointless as many will further and highly damaging only thrive on poor soils and will spread. not flourish in gardens. Introducing cultivated plants into the wild has Do take great care, therefore, and caused severe problems for native never risk introducing garden wildflowers – and their associated plants into wild areas. Discarding wildlife – and is still doing so. the results of weeding over the Rhododendron now smothers huge garden fence – for example, into areas of woodland in England (and adjoining allotments, woodland, Wales) and is extremely hard – and railway land or wasteland – is expensive – to control. Similarly, the irresponsible. All unwanted fleshy-leaved Hottentot fig material should instead be Carpobrotus edulis has invaded composted. The Natural England cliffs in Devon and Cornwall where booklet Composting and peat-free it forms dense stands, out- has further details. (See competing native species and even Further information, page 14.) . Paul Keene/Avico Ltd Cottage garden. Paul 2 3 Trees and

Large trees Ash Fraxinus excelsior Beech Fagus sylvatica Cherries Prunus avium and P. padus Elm Ulmus procera Oaks Quercus robur and Q. petraea Small-leaved lime Tilia cordata White willow Salix alba

Medium/small trees Alder Alnus glutinosa Apples Malus spp. Field maple Acer campestre Several species are fond of firethorn berries, and blackbirds may nest in this . Holly Ilex aquifolium Chris Gibson/Natural England Other shrubs for Pears Pyrus spp. Rowan Sorbus aucuparia nectar, pollen or Silver birch Plants to site under These following plants are especially Yew Taxus baccata trees or in shady areas attractive to insects or provide food . for and other animals. Plants for hedges Derek Ratcliffe/Natural England The following species flower early A combination of shrubs and before trees are in full , and will do climbers can make attractive hedges Bodant viburnum Climbers and well in areas that become shady later of great benefit for wildlife, as well Viburnum x bodnantense in the year. as providing a functional boundary. ‘scramblers’ Californian lilac Ceanothus spp. Beech and holly can also be effective Creeping Climbing brambles Rubus spp. Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta when used to make single species Cotoneaster frigidus fruticosus group (including various Bugle Ajuga reptans hedges. Firethorn Pyracantha spp. and hybrids, eg loganberries, Daffodils, including wild daffodil Himalayan honeysuckle Narcissus pseudonarcissus Shrubs suitable for hedges tayberries etc). formosa Climbing Rosa spp. especially Foxglove Digitalis purpurea Blackthorn Prunus spinosa Japanese quince Buckthorn Rhamnus catharticus wild species such as dog R. Lily of the valley Convallaria majalis Chaenomeles japonica Cherry plum Prunus cerasifera canina and field rose R. arvensis Lords-and-ladies/cuckoopint Arum Laurustinus Viburnum tinus Elder Sambucus nigra Ivies Hedera spp., including common maculatum Lilac Syringa vulgaris Guelder rose Viburnum opulus ivy H. helix Primrose vulgaris Mahonia Mahonia spp. Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Lonicera spp., including Sweet violet Viola odorata Mock orange Philadelphus spp. Hazel Corylus avellana the native L. periclymenum Wood avens Geum urbanum Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis Privets, including wild privet Wild clematis/Old man’s beard Yellow archangel Lamiastrum Clematis vitalba galeobdolon Warning. Some species of cotoneaster (eg C. Ligustrum vulgare horizontalis) are invasive and not recommended. 4 5 Wildflowers Native wildflowers for borders Harebell Campanula rotundifolia Please note. Any native plant with a Herb-robert Geranium robertianum simple, open-structured flower is Lady’s bedstraw Galium verum likely to attract pollinating insects. Marjoram Origanum vulgare Especially attractive are the flowers of Meadow cranesbill the daisy family (Compositae), the Geranium pratense cabbage family (Crucifers) and the Oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare carrot family (Umbellifers). In addition, Primrose members of the huge family of Red campion Silene dioica Labiates, which includes mints and Spiked speedwell Veronica spicata deadnettles, are also recommended. Tanacetum vulgare The following list is therefore only Teasel Dipsacus fullonum an indication of the huge Toadflax Linaria vulgaris of wildflowers you could plant in White campion Silene alba your garden. Wild thyme Thymus drucei Yellow loosestrife Lysimachia vulgaris Agrimony The poached-egg plant may attract various Chicory Chichorium intybus species of . Chives Allium schoenoprasum Chris Gibson/Natural England Common mallow Malva sylvestris Common poppy Corncockle Agrostemma githago Cornflower cyanus Corn marigold Chrysanthemum segetum Cowslip Dame’s-violet Hesperis matronalis Dandelion Taraxacum officinale Devil’s-bit scabious pratensis Field scabious Foxglove Digitalis purpurea Germander speedwell Veronica chamaedrys Goldenrod Solidago virgaurea Great mullein Verbascum thapsus Greater knapweed

Centaurea scabiosa England Wild thyme. Peter Wakely/Natural 6 7 Cultivated plants for borders Drought-tolerant Jerusalem sage Phlomis russelliana Marjoram Origanum vulgare and its Grecian windflower Anemone blanda plants garden ‘Aureum’, golden marjoram Angelica Angelica archangelica Myrtle Myrtus communis Aubretia Aubretia deltoidea Climate change is now a reality. Some Onion Allium christophii California poppy parts of England in recent years have Rock-roses Helianthemum spp. Eschscholtzia californica received a lower level of annual Sea-hollies Eryngium spp. Candytuft Iberis sempervirens rainfall than Jerusalem, while spring Sun-roses Cistus spp. rose Helleborus niger and summer hosepipe bans may Winter savoury Satureia Montana become a regular feature in the east Cosmos bipinnatus Sea Holly. Chris Gibson/Natural England Evening primrose biennis and south-east at least. It makes sense, Fleabane Erigeron spp. therefore, to select plants which, once Forget-me-not Myosotis spp. established, can withstand long French marigold Tagetes spp. periods without being watered. Many Globe thistle Echinops ritro of the following species originate from Grape hyacinth Muscari botryoides , the Mediterranean or Hollyhock Althaea rosea the Middle East and are well-suited to Honesty Lunaria rediviva dry soils in full sun, as well as Ice plant Sedum spectabile providing for the needs of garden Marsh marigold palustris. wildlife. Lenten rose Helleborus orientalis Paul Glendell/Natural England Michaelmas daisy Aster spp. Perennial cornflower Phlox Phlox paniculata Argentinean salvia Salvia argentea Centaurea montana Poached-egg plant Calamint Calamintha nepeta ssp. nepeta Perennial sunflower Limnanthes douglasii Cardoon Cynara cardunculus Helianthus decapetalus Purple coneflower Chile black scabious Scabiosa Paul Glendell/Natural England Echinacea purpurea atropurpurea Red valerian Centranthus ruber Crimson clover Trifolium incarnatum Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus Crocus Crocus tommasinianus Snowdrop Galanthus nivalis Escallonia Escallonia spp. Ponds and marshes Spring crocus False dittany Ballota acetabulosa Water is important for wildlife. Even a Giant dead-nettle Lamium orvala Crocus chrysanthus and hybrids small pond or boggy area can attract Giant echium Echium pininana Sweet alyssum Lobularia maritima birds, insects and other animals. It Giant scabious Cephalaria gigantea Sweet bergamot Monarda didyma also creates an interesting feature in Golden-drops Onosma spp. Sweet William Dianthus barbatus itself. The Natural England leaflet Honeywort Cerinthe major and C. Tobacco plant Nicotiana affinis Garden ponds and boggy areas: purpurascens havens for wildlife has a wealth of Wallflower Cheiranthus cheiri Honey garlic Nectaroscordium siculum advice about creating garden White arabis (single) Arabis alpina Lamb’s lugs (or ears) Stachys olympica Winter aconite Eranthis hyemalis and S. lanata wetlands and selecting suitable plants Yellow alyssum Alyssum saxatile (see Further information, page 14). 8 9 Plants for marshy areas and pond edges Myosotis scorpioides For a wildlife-friendly, natural look, Water mint Mentha aquatica ensure your pond has shallow, Water plantain sloping edges (to help animals get in Alisma Plantago-aquatica and out easily) and plants around the Water violet Hottonia palustris edges to provide cover and interest. Small Tortoiseshell. Natural England

Bogbean Menyanthes trifoliata Brooklime Veronica beccabunga Cuckooflower Cardamine pratensis Lesser spearwort flammula Marsh marigold Marsh woundwort Stachys palustris Ragged robin Lychnis flos-cuculi Water avens Geum rivale Water forget-me-not

Bogbean. Peter Wakely/Natural England Dog rose. Peter Wakely/Natural England Dog rose. Peter Wakely/Natural 10 11 Submerged plants Marginal plants Fairy or water fern These plants will help to oxygenate Flowering rush Butomus umbellatus Azolla filiculoides pond water and will also offer cover Hemp agrimony Floating pennywort for secretive pond life. Hydrocotyle ranunculoides Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria Parrot’s feather Curled pondweed Purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Myriophyllum aquaticum Potamogeton crispus Yellow flag Iris pseudacorus Other pondweeds Potamogeton spp. If you already have these, get rid of Hornwort Ceratophyllum demersum Floating plants them by composting or burning. Spiked water milfoil White waterlily Nymphaea alba Never dispose of them in other ponds Myriophyllum spicatum Yellow waterlily Nuphar lutea or in lakes or rivers as this will spread Water starwort Callitriche spp. the problem: they can regenerate Invasive plants even from mere fragments of leaf. Floating plants The following species are more suited Consult the leaflet Warning – invasive These provide some shade and to lakes than ponds. Attractive though alien pond plants for more details. interest. You need a balance of they are, they are best avoided in all This is available from the Natural floating and submerged plants to but the largest areas of water. England Enquiry Service (see Contacts ensure that some light gets to on page 14). The best insurance is to underwater areas. Bur-reed Sparganium erectum buy only from reputable suppliers. Greater spearwort Our Enquiry Service may be able to Amphibious bistort Ranunculus lingua help you locate one close to you. Lesser reedmace Typha angustifolia Persicaria Teasel. Peter Wakely/Natural England Meadow crane’s-bill. Peter Rowoth/Natural England Broad-leaved pondweed Fringed waterlily Warning! Potamogeton natans Nymphoides peltata Frogbit. Peter Wakely/Natural England Frogbit Hydrocharis morsus-ranae A number of plants can take over Water crowfoot Ranunculus aquatilis your pond and are already damaging Water-lilies: many small cultivars and our native plants and other wildlife in hybrids may be suitable. ponds, lakes and rivers. A particular problem with these plants is that they Large Ponds can be sold under a variety of English names, and in some cases are not The following plants are only really correctly identified at all. Watch out suitable for quite substantial ponds, for – and avoid – the following: either because they grow tall and will simply look out of place in a small Australian swamp stonecrop pond, or because they spread rapidly (also known as New Zealand and may take over small areas of pygmyweed Crassula helmsii) water. Some will do both! In the right Curly waterweed place, however, they can be superb. Lagarosiphon major 12 13 Contacts Further information Natural England This is one of a range of wildlife 1 East Parade gardening booklets published by Sheffield, S1 2ET Natural England. For more details, Enquiry Service: 0845 600 3078 contact the Natural England [email protected] Enquiry Service on 0845 600 3078 www.naturalengland.org.uk or e-mail [email protected] Flora Locale Denford Manor, Natural England also produces Hungerford Gardening with wildlife in mind, an Berkshire, RG17 0UN illustrated wildlife reference. Tel: 01488 680 458 Originally on CD but now also www.floralocale.org available online, Gardening with wildlife in mind has detailed Plantlife International information on 800 plants and 14 Rollestone Street animal species often found in our Salisbury, SP1 1DX gardens, and shows how they are Tel: 01722 342730 ecologically linked. www.plantlife.org.uk See www.plantpress.com

RSPB The Lodge Other Titles Sandy Beds, SG19 2DL There is a vast number of books Tel: 01767 680551 about all aspects of wildlife www.rspb.org.uk gardening. The following list is very selective: Cornflower . Jill Sutcliffe/Natural England The Wildlife Trusts Robinson, P. Bardsley, L. The Kiln Couzens, D. & Partington, P. RHS water gardening. The wildlife pond handbook. Waterside The secret lives of garden birds. Dorling Kindersley. 2003. New Holland. 2003. Mather Road Christopher Helm. 2004. Newark, NG24 1WT Spedding, S. & G. Baines, C. Tel: 01636 677711 Moss, S. The bird-friendly garden. The natural history of a garden. How to make a wildlife garden. www.wildlifetrusts.org.uk . HarperCollins. 2004. Timber Press. 2003 Frances Lincoln Ltd. 2000. 2014 15