The UK is home to an extraordinary variety of animals, birds and insects living in the wild.  Obviously, these creatures aren’t confined to the countryside alone.  In towns and villages, residential gardens can offer a wonderful haven in which local wildlife can feed, breed and shelter.  It’s estimated that the many gardens in Britain cover around 10 million acres, linked together into green ‘corridors’.  These link urban green spaces with the countryside and provide wildlife with a wide range of habitats.  Every garden and outdoor space – no matter the size – can be enriched to become a healthy haven for local birds and other wildlife.

At The Garden Company – in partnership with our clients – we actively seek to create and build wildlife-friendly gardens. This blog post sets out the rationale for having wildlife at the forefront of our minds when it comes to our gardens.  It also sets out some simple guidance on planning a wildlife garden and nurturing it to its full potential.

Why is this so important?

Wildlife is under threat. There is of course a growing awareness of the threat facing all wildlife. According to the World Wildlife Fund: We are losing incredible wildlife and iconic places at an alarming rate.  Our living planet, our one and only life support system, is critically endangered. Over the past 50 years, there have been huge losses in wildlife in the UK and abroad. Numbers of iconic species have dropped – from the skylark and water vole here in the UK, to African elephants and snow leopards around the world. Precious habitats have been eroded.

We can all take some important steps to address this crisis and protect our own small piece of the planet.

How to get started

In our experience of wildlife-friendly gardens, there are two broad aspects to consider carefully:

1. Planning ahead – considering design options and wildlife-friendly garden features
2. Looking after it – nurturing the garden to its full potential through wildlife-friendly gardening practices

To find out more tips visit and see the full article by James Scott click here

Creating a wildlife garden helps to reduce the real threat to your local wildlife. There are other significant benefits too. Planting a wildlife-friendly garden is a great way for children to engage with the natural world around them. Gardening activities can attract young people outdoors.  Even small toddlers can enjoy helping to feed garden birds, sow flowers, fruit and vegetables and build log piles and insect homes.

And for all of us, at any age, an interest in gardens and wildlife brings us closer to nature. Transforming an underused garden into a wildlife garden is a wonderful way for us to create a thing of beauty which we share with other living creatures. Immersing ourselves in such a special space and paying attention to the wildlife around us offers both enjoyment and tranquillity.

For more inspiration, take a look at this residential case study featuring a wildflower meadow and other wildlife-friendly features.