Kathryn’s Guide to Wildlife Gardening

To celebrate Garden Wildlife Week (26th May – 1st June), Haskins West End Plant Team Leader Kathryn is sharing her top tips to support wildlife in your garden!

Even the smallest outdoor spaces can create critical habitats for wildlife, so it’s important to protect them and help them thrive. You don’t have to do a lot to make a big difference – sometimes the simplest actions can be the most effective.

Choose bold plants

Choose plants that flower at different times of the year to keep your garden buzzing with life. I recommend planting a mix of plants that provide nectar and pollen from early spring right through to winter. Hardy geraniums are excellent ground cover plants that bees love, while salvia ‘Hot Lips’ offers nectar throughout the summer and is ideal for smaller spaces.

Teasel is another great choice; it’s easy to grow, and once flowering has finished, the seedheads attract goldfinches. Foxgloves are brilliant too, as their large leaves create perfect hiding spots for invertebrates. For winter nectar, try planting mahonia or winter-flowering honeysuckle to support pollinators during colder months.

Embrace a little mess

When tidying up your garden, don’t be afraid to leave some areas a little wild. Piles of leaves, twigs, or undisturbed corners can become vital shelters for insects and other creatures. Decaying leaves feed the soil while also providing protection for frogs, toads, and stag beetles.

By simply keeping a log pile tucked away in a shady corner, you can create a rich habitat for insects and small mammals. I’d recommend you spend less time clearing away every leaf and twig and more time enjoying the wildlife that will flourish as a result.

Spend time connecting with your garden

I always encourage people to spend 15 minutes in their garden every day. Taking this time to pause, observe, and immerse yourself in nature builds a deeper appreciation for the life that thrives there. You’ll start to notice small changes, from spotting more bees to discovering new wildflowers emerging.

Dedicating time outdoors offers something for all the senses, from the scent of flowers to the sound of birdsong and buzzing bees. By taking time to connect with your garden, you’ll naturally become more invested in helping it flourish.

Enjoy the journey and support science

It’s incredibly rewarding to see the fruits of your labour come to life, so take time to observe the changes you make. As a result, you’ll witness your garden blossom while feeling more connected to the surrounding wildlife. Seeing a robin perch on your fence or a frog exploring your pond is a wonderful reminder of the difference you’re making.

Learning about the different species that visit your garden can be fascinating too. I’d recommend recording the wildlife you spot and taking photos, whether it’s bumblebees, butterflies, or birds. This allows you to track your garden’s progress while contributing to science by taking part in conservation campaigns like the Big Butterfly Count, which runs from 18th July to 10th August 2025.

For more wildlife garden tips and gardening advice, pop in and visit us; our teams will be more than happy to chat, or visit our website – https://www.haskins.co.uk/tag/gardening/