This classic favorite among cottage garden plants has pretty blue-green foliage covered in masses of fragrant lilac blooms from June to August. In ‘The Wild Garden’, Robinson decreed that a garden should encourage natural development and have respect for plant form, colour, growing habits and foliage rather than adhere strictly to a layout. The garden is a green oasis in an otherwise urban surrounding, and is free to visit (donations always welcome). This only brushes the surface of the range of plants ideal for a wildlife garden and the more diverse the mix in your backyard, the better for a healthy garden, and healthy wiidlife. The Centre offers a fantastic place to explore and relax – with the opportunity to walk, picnic or even use of the BBQ.

Avoid plants with double or multi-petalled flowers as they may lack nectar and pollen and insects may have difficulty in gaining access. The biggest thing for urban gardeners to do is to try and give cover back to birds' explained Arthur Parkinson, who trained at the Royal Botanical Gardens, on the ‘Grow, Cook, Eat, Arrange’ Podcast series. Species of birds that have visited the bird cafe so far include greater spotted woodpecker, tree sparrow and redpoll. Nurture an environment for natural pest control, create habitats for garden wildlife and they’ll often repay the favor by preying on pests. In some ways it's only a curiosity piece for the expert gardener as there is also some terrible advice to plant things that would take over completely.

Along the way, Colin travels across Britain and Ireland to meet other enthusiasts on their own wild crusades, and he makes a pilgrimage to Gravetye Manor in Sussex, the former home of William Robinson, the original wild gardener. They can help out your garden plants and you would be doing a good deed for all those creatures in need of a home or food throughout the winter. Garlic, chives and alliums have a similar effect on aphids, so pop a few in among your roses to keep them safe. The humble hedgehog is another prize slug and snail muncher, who has the added plus of being super-cute. Feed hedgehogs by leaving any leftover dried fruit or cooked veg out in your garden for them to graze on.

As well as creating useful food for your plants, compost heaps can shelter a variety of interesting animals – including slow worms that get rid of slugs. The garden is visited by over 1,500 pupils a year, and it is hoped that they will take away ideas to try at home. You don’t need anything fancy to get going – a heap of vegetable peelings, grass cuttings, old teabags and coffee grounds covered with an old rug will soon rot down to a lovely nutrient-rich mix you can use to power up your garden. There’s also a fruit and vegetable patch and a vibrant display garden all of which attracts plenty of wildlife from long-tailed tits to butterflies, shield bugs, ladybirds, solitary bees, and much more.The unique backdrop has hosted boho-inspired weddings, a Peter Pan themed 21st and a Jazz-age Ruby wedding anniversary party (amongst many other reasons for celebration). Those that produce seeds or fruit are often a valuable source of food for many birds in fall or winter, too,’ explains Mick Lavelle . The first part of the book written and photographed by Rick Darke is excellent for an American gardener wish to create a more naturalistic garden. There are exotic trees, remains of cold frames, greenhouses, reservoirs, a terrace and the conservatory that was part of the original building.

The aim of the project is to give examples of wildlife friendly features that can be copied and adapted in your own garden! Climbers such as ivy will provide a protective habitat all year round and a late source of autumn nectar for insects, and late winter fruit. Nestled within the estate, our magical weddings and events space, The Wild Garden, can also be exclusively yours to design your dream wedding or celebration in idyllic surroundings. The area is wheelchair accessible with a raised herb bed, wildflower meadow, examples of wildlife friendly planting, hedgehog house, pond, bird feeding area and insect hotel.For me, when I look out the window and see wildlife thriving off my garden, I do find a huge appetite to continue gardening. If you have a lawn, resist the urge to mow it, as long grass is important for butterflies to lay their eggs in. Once you get to grips with how to grow lavender, you'll be wanting to dot the fragrant plants all over the garden and is an addition to your wildlife garden ideas that has numerous benefits and uses.

Darke served on the staff of Longwood Gardens for twenty years and received the Scientific Award of the American Horticultural Society. Originally at Handcross Park, and then at The Hyde, it has been a much-loved and idyllic family home, full of laughter and fun. With trees planted and seed sown, he faces an extraordinary weeks-long drought that threatens his whole project. Think of your garden as a jigsaw piece, slotting in next to many other green spaces to provide wildlife with a ‘corridor’ in which to move around freely!Provide shelter: Start by providing shelter, resting and nesting areas with a couple of silver birches and/or a selection of native shrubs, like holly or guelder rose. Hedgerows provide food and nesting sites for birds, shelter for small mammals, green corridors to allow wildlife to move safely from garden to garden and a host of other benefits. Avoid pesticides as these can kill many of the beneficial insects, birds and hedgehogs that will help you to create a natural balance on your plot. Over 200 species of plants flourish in the wildlife garden, which is managed by volunteers for the benefit of local wildlife. William Robinson was born in Ireland in 1838 and studied horticulture at the National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin near Dublin.