Bird and wildlife friendly patio garden

[lizzi]

At the back of our house, which is above a parade of shops, is a wide concrete terrace out the back. We're in the process of build a small enclosed patio garden at the back of our house and are going to enclose it with planters that had trellises attached to them. I'd really like to plant things that are going to help attract birds and insects to our small patch. I think it's unlikely we'll get much because of the location but I'd like to try. Can anyone give me some tips for which flowing plants/ shrubs would be good for putting into the containers? Is there anything else I can do (other than having a bird table/ feeders) to maximise the chance of getting bird visitors?

[Dizzy]

Hi Lizzi,
How about some Ivy and/or Honeysuckle to grow up your trellis ~ will provide both cover and food and birds and insects will be attracted to both of these. Berry bearing shrubs like cotoneaster and pyracanthea in your planters, a small cherry tree in one of your tubs. Soft fruit like raspberries and blackcurrants (if you dont mind the birds getting them:'D ). Flowerwise ~ sunflower, cornflower, cranesbill, lavender, verbena, sedum ~ plus many many more ~ try doing an internet search. Oh! and personally I'd go for native species where I could, they are more abundant in insect life (although theres nothing wrong in throwing in the odd 'foreign' one).

Best wishes


p.s. Bird bath?

[lizzi]

Thanks for the advice Dizzy. That's given me lots of ideas.

[joannec]

Oh! and personally I'd go for native species where I could, they are more abundant in insect life (although theres nothing wrong in throwing in the odd 'foreign' one).



Native plants are the key to successful wildlife gardening so go for these as much as possible. Given your less than ideal habitat;) , above a row of shops, I would go for dwarf varieties of native species. Perhaps a dwarf silver birch or dwarf rowan for small trees grown in the largest pots you can safely use on a rooftop patio. Honeysuckle is an excellent suggestion, Lonicera periclymenum, is the native specie and would be the best but any will provide berries. Ivy and cotoneaster also good suggestions. And finally don't be too tidy, birds like a bit of cover.

Good luck.

Joanne

[Isurus]

Hi Lizzi,
Oh! and personally I'd go for native species where I could, they are more abundant in insect life (although theres nothing wrong in throwing in the odd 'foreign' one).


this is excellent advice both in the main body and the exception (eg. pyracantha, cotoneaster and buddleia are all I believe non-natives and are all beloved of wildlife here in spite of their alien status).

My advice would be to do what will best work for you in the surroundings. Pretty much anything will be better than concrete. I'd personally consider pots of nectar rich flowers in addition to what's already been mentioned. You might not get too many birds due to your position (although I think you'll be surprised) but insects (which in turn will feed birds) will benefit and they'll look nice.