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Planting for wildlife (2 Viewers)

Plant native!!!!!!!! I listened to the local Pennsylvania game commission (first mistake) and bought russian olive they were selling along with non-native honeysuckle. Twenty years later I am cutting it all down and am told to poison the cut roots. Multi flora rose is a big problem in western Pa. another invasive plant with thorns that will cause much pain. Had my dog a Weimeraner out for a run and she ripped her ear open on one of the thorns. Bled a lot it was crazy. So study up on the native plants, get rid of the non-natives and build brush piles for cover, have a water source, and provide some nesting/roosting sites.
 
Plant native!!!!!!!! I listened to the local Pennsylvania game commission (first mistake) and bought russian olive they were selling along with non-native honeysuckle. Twenty years later I am cutting it all down and am told to poison the cut roots. Multi flora rose is a big problem in western Pa. another invasive plant with thorns that will cause much pain. Had my dog a Weimeraner out for a run and she ripped her ear open on one of the thorns. Bled a lot it was crazy. So study up on the native plants, get rid of the non-natives and build brush piles for cover, have a water source, and provide some nesting/roosting sites.

I agree that generally , native planting is best. although there are some exceptions, where non-native plants are beneficial to wildlife.
 
They are perennial and some can flower over winter time and others most of the year. They are very pretty and colourful. Gather the seeds and frow more.
 
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thanks ann that sounds perfect. have got big plans of what I want my garden to look like! it's only small but I'll make the most of the space and plant lots of flowers,shrubs and trees over the next few months. I want to plant a holly tree for the birds (berries and cover)
and in a bare space at the back i'm thinking of making a wildflower garden. I'm hoping to make it into a wildlife haven!
 
The holly trees I have do not have berries sadly. I think you have to have a female tree nearby but am unsure.
I hunted out some photos of the welsh poppy, pansy and a fuschia called candt bells, it has the smallest flower of all and its the size a small ladies little finger nail. The birds love the berries on these which are formed after the flower dies and is also a hardy plant.
 

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Oh reading this thread has inspired me to get out in my garden and plant some wild flower. I think this summer i will be planting lots of flower, hopefully make a rock corner. and plant a new tree. Oh the joy of the summer
 
The best and most effective way of having a positive effect on local biodiversity is to plant native local species which provide the correct flowering periods for local insects.

I havent read through all these posts, but my Degree was in Plant Biology and Ecology, and I have worked in environmantal conservation in different guises for a while now. I did a brief period in horticulture, and was consistantly frustrated by people who were interested in promoting wildlife but insisted on non-native varieties that were more attractive. The key to promoting wildlife couldnt be more anti-horticultural if it tried!

I agree that generally , native planting is best. although there are some exceptions, where non-native plants are beneficial to wildlife.

Yes this is true, there are many non-native plants that will encourage wildlife, but importantly they will encourage it in directions which stray out of the natural limits for your area. Conservation specialists do employ such strategies were appropriate but it is best off leaving this practice to those who have expertly studied ecologies to make such informed desicions.

My advise to you is to you is this, and you may not like it! Do not cut your grass! this is so important, if its too much to ask then leave a corner of your garden un cut, or as much as you can. Build a rockery, a log pile and a small water feature, then leave your garden to naturally diversify. By all means study local meadows and countryside, list the plant species you see in essentially an ecological survey, and introduce those species to your garden. Create a haven for local plant species (most importantly grasses!) on which the relevant biodiversity can grow and thrive.

If this info has been repeated previous I apologize
 
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Oh reading this thread has inspired me to get out in my garden and plant some wild flower. I think this summer i will be planting lots of flower, hopefully make a rock corner. and plant a new tree. Oh the joy of the summer
glad you're inspired!

in my old house we made a rockery in the garden and planted flowers all in the cracks. it looked beautiful and insects loved it.
 
The best and most effective way of having a positive effect on local biodiversity is to plant native local species which provide the correct flowering periods for local insects.

I havent read through all these posts, but my Degree was in Plant Biology and Ecology, and I have worked in environmantal conservation in different guises for a while now. I did a brief period in horticulture, and was consistantly frustrated by people who were interested in promoting wildlife but insisted on non-native varieties that were more attractive. The key to promoting wildlife couldnt be more anti-horticultural if it tried!



Yes this is true, there are many non-native plants that will encourage wildlife, but importantly they will encourage it in directions which stray out of the natural limits for your area. Conservation specialists do employ such strategies were appropriate but it is best off leaving this practice to those who have expertly studied ecologies to make such informed desicions.

My advise to you is to you is this, and you may not like it! Do not cut your grass! this is so important, if its too much to ask then leave a corner of your garden un cut, or as much as you can. Build a rockery, a log pile and a small water feature, then leave your garden to naturally diversify. By all means study local meadows and countryside, list the plant species you see in essentially an ecological survey, and introduce those species to your garden. Create a haven for local plant species (most importantly grasses!) on which the relevant biodiversity can grow and thrive.

If this info has been repeated previous I apologize

thanks for all this advice! I really appreciate it.
I agree about the grass-cutting, but must convince my slightly OCD dad not to cut it so often :-O

I'm hoping to plan the garden so I have things flowering in v. early spring and late autumn/winter as well as summer. that way insects coming out of hibernation, or preparing 2 go in will have a good food source.
 
The holly trees I have do not have berries sadly. I think you have to have a female tree nearby but am unsure.
I hunted out some photos of the welsh poppy, pansy and a fuschia called candt bells, it has the smallest flower of all and its the size a small ladies little finger nail. The birds love the berries on these which are formed after the flower dies and is also a hardy plant.

nice pictures and beautiful plants. The fuschias really appealing, my mum keeps saying we need to plant some, she loves it.
 
PICT0026.JPG
heres a pic of one of the pansies I planted.

whilst planting my younger brother asked what the flowers were called, I told him and he ask if they were scared of the other flowers :-O
 
Hi

I really need some Advice on what plant's to grow? AND when i should start? I really want lots of wildlife in the garden with lots of colour? Any advice would be great.
 
If you have room you can start sowing seeds now, if not order some plant plugs online or better still visit a local garden centre. The likes of homebase and B&Q all sell seeds and starter packs. The plugs are avaiable now and are not ready to plant yet, you have to grow them on until all frosts have gone.
 
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