Gardening for Wildlife

Another great thread @BeeHappy
I'm gathering ideas about encouraging more wildlife. Think I'm going to try for a small meadow area next to a small bog area. I say think because the last time I tried for a meadow it was a disaster. Our soil was too rich in the last garden.
This garden, under the grass it's clayey silt and lots of sand so I'm hoping that's a better foundation.

 

@Everhopeful if you want to encourage wildlife then go for a cottage style garden with lots of plants which encourage bees and butterflies.Plant things like Sedums,Corncockles,Poppies like the ones in the photos above.When we moved to this newly created village fifteen years ago I nearly regretted it as there was nothing here,but I kept putting out bird seed and nuts and with the help of Mr K we established borders,put in trees and shrubs,and lots of flowering plants and since then have never looked back and in the summer our garden is full of bees,wasps,hover flies,bee flies,crickets and lots of birds because I feed them all year round.

Don't worry too much as they will come if you provide the right conditions

 

Ah yes @Kandy , I am busy getting our new garden organised and it will be cottage style, all my favourite plants fit that style perfectly.
I just wish we'd been able to make a start in the autumn, but too much to do inside and rotten weather out.

 

I love this thread and the photo's you started BeeHappy given me some great ideas, i really need to pull my finger out and got on with my garden. Shiney also like your photos and getting Bee Orchids growing in the garden fantastic they are one of my favourite orchids.

 

@Everhopeful please don't worry that you didn't make a start in the autumn, I'm busy changing my garden, we will both catch up I'm sure .
When we moved into this house I cried for a week, not only was the house filthy dirty but the garden was in a terrible state, I didn't know where to start! There wasn't a bird in sight let alone a bee or hover fly , BUT I pulled my socks up & got stuck in , there's still stuff to do but I'm not too bothered about that, the garden is full of flowers, moths, ladybirds, wild birds, 6 hens , bees & other insects, I've seen my first bat of the year this week too , with patience & time you will soon have a lovely garden good luck & please share your journey with us, I'd love too see some photos

 

@Ady, could you share some photos of your garden with us & maybe your plans? I'd love to know what you are going to do in your garden

 

Armanii: do you know the name of the blue allium covered in bees?

 

Beckie will get the camera out this weekend and take some photos. Amandii love the photos are the dragonflies and Damselfly all from your garden?

 

Awww everyone such 's and OMG the FANtabulous piccys that I have caught up with it warms the cockles of me 'eart to see the SUPerb effort's everyone going to for all our BEAutiful wildlife .....so awards for all ...........from a very happy Bee

 

Stunning pictures Armandii!