Plants for wildlife-friendly gardens
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Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife 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. Plants for wildlife-friendly www.naturalengland.org.uk gardens © Natural England 2007 ISBN 978-1-84754-020-1 Catalogue code NE29 Written by Steve Berry. 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-
garden plants which can help to attract flowered varieties produce little or no
wildlife to your garden. While plants pollen or nectar and so are not of
that occur naturally in England – native interest to bees, butterflies or other
species – do have more to offer some pollinating insects.
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 flowers 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
Cottage garden. Paul Keene/Avico Ltd
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 plant
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- gardening has further details. (See
competing native species and even Further information, page 14.)
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Trees and shrubs
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 bird species are fond of firethorn
Holly Ilex aquifolium
berries, and blackbirds may nest in this shrub.
Chris Gibson/Natural England
Other shrubs for
Pears Pyrus spp.
Rowan Sorbus aucuparia
nectar, pollen or fruits
Silver birch Betula pendula Plants to site under These following plants are especially
Yew Taxus baccata
Honeysuckle flower.
trees or in shady areas attractive to insects or provide food
Plants for hedges
for birds and other animals.
Derek Ratcliffe/Natural England
The following species flower early
A combination of shrubs and
before trees are in full leaf, and will do
climbers can make attractive hedges Climbers and well in areas that become shady later
Bodant viburnum
Viburnum x bodnantense
of great benefit for wildlife, as well
as providing a functional boundary. ‘scramblers’ in the year. Californian lilac Ceanothus spp.
Beech and holly can also be effective Creeping cotoneaster
Climbing brambles Rubus spp. Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta Cotoneaster frigidus
when used to make single species
fruticosus group (including various Bugle Ajuga reptans Firethorn Pyracantha spp.
hedges.
cultivars and hybrids, eg loganberries, Daffodils, including wild daffodil Himalayan honeysuckle
Shrubs suitable for hedges tayberries etc). Narcissus pseudonarcissus Leycesteria formosa
Blackthorn Prunus spinosa Climbing roses Rosa spp. especially Foxglove Digitalis purpurea Japanese quince
Buckthorn Rhamnus catharticus wild species such as dog rose 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 Primula vulgaris Mahonia Mahonia spp.
Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Honeysuckles 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 Warning. Some species of cotoneaster (eg C.
Ligustrum vulgare Clematis vitalba galeobdolon horizontalis) are invasive and not recommended.
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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 Primula vulgaris
members of the huge family of Red campion Silene dioica
Labiates, which includes mints and Spiked speedwell Veronica spicata
deadnettles, are also recommended. Tansy Tanacetum vulgare
The following list is therefore only Teasel Dipsacus fullonum
an indication of the huge variety Toadflax Linaria vulgaris
of wildflowers you could plant in White campion Silene alba
your garden. Wild thyme Thymus drucei
Yellow loosestrife Lysimachia vulgaris
Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria The poached-egg plant may attract various
Chicory Chichorium intybus species of hoverfly.
Chris Gibson/Natural England
Chives Allium schoenoprasum
Common mallow Malva sylvestris
Common poppy Papaver rhoeas
Corncockle Agrostemma githago
Cornflower Centaurea cyanus
Corn marigold
Chrysanthemum segetum
Cowslip Primula veris Wild thyme. Peter Wakely/Natural England
Dame’s-violet Hesperis matronalis
Dandelion Taraxacum officinale
Devil’s-bit scabious Succisa pratensis
Field scabious Knautia arvensis
Foxglove Digitalis purpurea
Germander speedwell
Veronica chamaedrys
Goldenrod Solidago virgaurea
Great mullein Verbascum thapsus
Greater knapweed
Centaurea scabiosa
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Cultivated plants for borders Drought-tolerant Jerusalem sage Phlomis russelliana
Marjoram Origanum vulgare and its
Grecian windflower Anemone blanda plants garden form ‘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.
Christmas rose Helleborus niger and summer hosepipe bans may Winter savoury Satureia Montana
Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus become a regular feature in the east Sea Holly. Chris Gibson/Natural England
Evening primrose Oenothera 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 South America, 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 Caltha palustris.
Lenten rose Helleborus orientalis Paul Glendell/Natural England
wildlife.
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
Crocus chrysanthus and hybrids Giant dead-nettle Lamium orvala small pond or boggy area can attract
Sweet alyssum Lobularia maritima Giant echium Echium pininana birds, insects and other animals. It
Sweet bergamot Monarda didyma Giant scabious Cephalaria gigantea also creates an interesting feature in
Sweet William Dianthus barbatus Golden-drops Onosma spp. itself. The Natural England leaflet
Tobacco plant Nicotiana affinis Honeywort Cerinthe major and C. Garden ponds and boggy areas:
Wallflower Cheiranthus cheiri purpurascens havens for wildlife has a wealth of
White arabis (single) Arabis alpina Honey garlic Nectaroscordium siculum advice about creating garden
Winter aconite Eranthis hyemalis Lamb’s lugs (or ears) Stachys olympica wetlands and selecting suitable plants
Yellow alyssum Alyssum saxatile and S. lanata (see Further information, page 14).
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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 Ranunculus
flammula
Marsh marigold Caltha palustris
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
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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. Eupatorium cannabinum 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.
The following species are more suited
Floating plants Consult the leaflet Warning – invasive
to lakes than ponds. Attractive though
These provide some shade and alien pond plants for more details.
they are, they are best avoided in all
interest. You need a balance of This is available from the Natural
but the largest areas of water.
floating and submerged plants to England Enquiry Service (see Contacts
ensure that some light gets to on page 14). The best insurance is to
Bur-reed Sparganium erectum
underwater areas. buy only from reputable suppliers.
Greater spearwort
Our Enquiry Service may be able to
Ranunculus lingua
Amphibious bistort help you locate one close to you.
Lesser reedmace Typha angustifolia
Persicaria amphibian Teasel. Peter Wakely/Natural England Meadow crane’s-bill. Peter Rowoth/Natural England
Broad-leaved pondweed
Potamogeton natans
Fringed waterlily
Nymphoides peltata
Warning!
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
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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
enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk Enquiry Service on 0845 600 3078
www.naturalengland.org.uk or e-mail
enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk
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 Centaurea cyanus. 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.
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