Want to make your nature haven a more energetic, vibrant place? The good news is, this is perfectly achievable – by attracting wildlife. Aside from your outside oasis becoming an epicentre for various animal species, it’ll also help create a more balanced ecosystem.
In this article, let’s delve into some tips and tricks on attracting wildlife into your garden. So grab your trowel, and let’s dig in.
Designing the ideal garden design layout
Before you get cracking on your mission to entice more birds, butterflies and bees, make sure you create your outside space in a way that’ll encourage it. While landscape gardening can be daunting, with the appropriate garden design layout, you’ll produce a botanical wonderland that’s functional and beautiful in no time.
One key aspect of nailing your garden design is to provide a spectrum of habitats for various wildlife types. How about planting exotic flowers to entice pollinators, adding birdhouses or creating rock piles for small mammals?
And don’t forget to include a water source, like a bird bath or small pond. Doing so will attract a plethora of creatures, including frogs and birds, and can also function as a source of drink for other wildlife in the area.
Bring some green goodness to your garden
So, garden lovers. Another essential factor in drawing wildlife to your outdoor space is choosing the right plants for your garden. Native plants are an excellent option, as they’re adjusted to the local surroundings and soil, making them more hardy and eye-catching to local wild animals.
Shrubs, veggies, flowers, herbs, and trees – the possibilities are endless. But fret not. We’re here to navigate you through the process of selecting the perfect plants for your garden.
When choosing plants, go for a range of species that’ll blossom at specific times during the year. This will deliver a non-stop source of nutrition for pollinators like butterflies and bees. Plants that produce fruits or berries are also brilliant for attracting birds and other small mammals. We’re talking elderberry, blackberry, and holly.
Drawing birds in your garden
Want to attract some feathered friends to your garden? This isn’t too tricky to achieve. Perhaps the simplest, most effective way is to plant indigenous flowers that birds adore! Consider planting goldenrod, sunflowers, and coneflowers. As well as adding an explosion of colour to your garden, these beauties attract flying friends with their seeds and nectar.
And it doesn’t stop there. Including a birdhouse or two in your garden is also an effective, enjoyable way to entice sky-bound buddies, particularly if natural nesting locations are restricted in your area. Just make sure you pick a birdhouse that’s the correct shape and size for the bird you want to attract, and it’s in a secure place away from predators. And you never know – you might just get to witness an entire bird family thrive and grow in your back garden.
Buzz by, bees
Bees are the overlooked champions of the garden, and we need them to pollinate plants. To lure bees to your outdoor space, put in an assortment of native plants and let them bloom throughout the growing season.
Bee-worthy flowers include coneflowers, bee balm, and lavender. And why not provide a safe place for bees to lay their eggs and rest by adding a bee hotel to your garden?
Fluttering with butterflies
Butterflies are a blissful sight to behold, right? Plus, they assist with the pollinating process. To attract these elegant creatures, plant a combination of native flowers that blossom during the growing season. Butterfly-friendly flowers include bee balm, black-eyed susans and milkweed. And did you know? It’s possible to add a butterfly house to your garden, providing these winged beauties with a comfy place to hibernate and chill through the colder months.
Add a touch of tranquillity to your garden with a water feature
Not only do water features add beauty to your garden, but they also offer a valuable source of water for your avian visitors and other creatures. If space allows, think about incorporating a small fountain or pond. The latter, in particular, is a wonderful way to charm the likes of newts, frogs, and dragonflies.
If you fancy incorporating a nature-friendly pond, consider adding lots of plants around the edge to offer shade and shelter, plus shallow areas for creatures to access the water. If you don’t have enough space, a water feature or small fountain work just as well. Remember to pick an animal-welcoming feature with a gentle flow of water or a shallow basin.
Go green with sustainable gardening
Crafting a wildlife-supportive garden also means being aware of the environmental effect your patch has. To be more sustainable, plump for eco-friendly textiles for your garden design. In other words, use locally sourced materials, like stones or gravel, and opt for plants indigenous to your area. Local flora is used for the native environment and necessitates less maintenance and water than their tropical counterparts. So, they’re a greener option.
Another way to be kinder to the planet is to reduce garden waste. So, compost grass clippings, leaves and other organic debris. And rather than relying on a hose, water your plants with rainwater. By making these tiny modifications, you can considerably cut your carbon footprint.
Other ways to invite nature to your garden
And the list doesn’t end here. Other ways to tempt wildlife to your outside space include adding a small rock pile for lizards and other small mammals to hide in and creating a compost pile.
Don’t forget – even the tiniest tweaks can have a humungous effect on the ecosystem of your outdoor oasis.
So go forth, plant, and let nature prosper
Creating a nature-conscious garden isn’t only a beautiful experience. It’s also a sustainable one. When you include water features, shelter and food for wildlife, and native flora, you’ll notice creatures of all kinds entering your outside space and building a thriving ecosystem.
At Floral & Hardy, we care about creating outside spaces that are not only scenic but also wildlife-welcoming. Our team of professionals understands what it takes to lure local critters like butterflies, birds, and bees with the right native plants, water features, and cosy spots to rest.
What’s more, we’re all about environmental gardening practices that keep the planet healthy and happy. Whether you’re looking to create a buzzing ecosystem or spruce up your outdoor space, we’re here for you. Talk to us now to learn more about our services and how we can help you turn your garden into a magical nirvana.
