Started the Wildlife Garden

[ianmandy]

Last year I built a small pond and a Meadow garden, this year i am starting the Wildlife garden. It will be approx 12ft x 12ft on a lower level which was a patio. I have started a plant list.
Any other suggestions welcome. Must be shade hardy. I will keep a photographic update on Flickr.
LIST:
At the back,
Guelder Rose( Viburnum Opulus)
Virginia Sweetspire
Pieris Japonica
Oregan Grape (Mahonia Aquicolium)

Midrange,
DayLily
Lupin
Foxglove
Beebalm
Foam Flower
Alliums
Teasel
Brunnera
Tobacco Plant
Andromeda Polifolia

Front,
Astilbe
Potentilla
Ericas
Lavender
Aucuba
Evening Primrose
Red Clover
Cuckoo Flower
Trillium
Lungwort
Corydalis

Quite a list but i think i have covered most wildlife in the UK not just my garden. position wise they are about the right height for a staggered display.

thanks
Ian

[Kayleigh]

Just remember some of the plants in your list require moisture retentative soil and some like the lavender require good drainage and the heather may require acid soil..

[galanthus]

Originally Posted by ianmandy

Last year I built a small pond and a Meadow garden, this year i am starting the Wildlife garden. It will be approx 12ft x 12ft on a lower level which was a patio. I have started a plant list.
Any other suggestions welcome. Must be shade hardy. I will keep a photographic update on Flickr.
LIST:
At the back,
Guelder Rose( Viburnum Opulus)
Virginia Sweetspire
Pieris Japonica
Oregan Grape (Mahonia Aquicolium)

Midrange,
DayLily
Lupin
Foxglove
Beebalm
Foam Flower
Alliums
Teasel
Brunnera
Tobacco Plant
Andromeda Polifolia

Front,
Astilbe
Potentilla
Ericas
Lavender
Aucuba
Evening Primrose
Red Clover
Cuckoo Flower
Trillium
Lungwort
Corydalis

Quite a list but i think i have covered most wildlife in the UK not just my garden. position wise they are about the right height for a staggered display.

thanks
Ian

Sounds great. You may think this list comprehensive but wait til Jez sees it lol. He's quite keen on this area so I'm sure he'll add some wonderous items

[goosey]

Hi Ian, I really envy you starting out on such an exciting project
You have some excellent plant ideas already - would you have a place for Buddleia davidaii or two - they would be such a benefit for birds, insects butterflies and moths.
Red Vallerian and Red and white campions I would fit in aswell - because they attract moths . I am not so sure if they are good for shady areas though.

[ianmandy]

I missed the Buddleia davidaii. I have chosen it but didn't list it. The Campions are very nice wild flowers i may add them to the wild flower meadow i planted last year its 8ft x 14ft and doing well. The Wildlife garden will run of it.

[Jez]

Like it!!!!!

I have done the same but the otherway round! This year i can let my meadow go to flower and so looking forward, but no plants in flower yet will be adding a new thread.

I wish all the success with your wildlife garden Ianmandy, please keep us posted with piccys on the progess!

As for suggestions i would whole heartedly recommend Scabious- Devils bit, field & small and Knautia Maceadonas, Majoram, Cephalaria, Betony and Valeran and opium poppies for the birds

[ianmandy]

You come highly recommended Jez . Many thanks for the suggestions. I am going to have a running pictorial on flickr. So i can see what it looks like.

[Kayleigh]

What about angelica or winter honeysuckle..

[ianmandy]

I planted 2 x honeysuckle a clematis and a virginia creeper last year along the fence so i am hoping they will flower this year.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by ianmandy

I planted 2 x honeysuckle a clematis and a virginia creeper last year along the fence so i am hoping they will flower this year.

The winter honeysuckle (fragrantissima) is a shrub that flowers from Dec-Feb very fragrant and insects love it.Winter Honeysuckle - Lonicera fragrantissima