In your garden

Wildlife needs four things if it is to thrive in your garden - food, water, shelter and a place to breed. By providing some - if not all - of these things you will bring your garden to life. Click below for some ideas on how to get started and how to make a difference for wildlife, whatever the size of your garden. Alternatively, you can download our wildlife gardening leaflet for more information.

Butterfly gardens	Wildflower meadows
Native trees	Feeding birds
Climbing plants	Building a pond
Hedges	Small gardens

Butterfly gardens

Butterflies are attracted to nectar-rich flowers like verbena, scabious and ice-plant. Go for plants with simple flowers that make it easy for butterflies to get at the nectar. Many cottage garden flowers are suitable. Plant in a sheltered sunny spot and don't forget to provide food plants for caterpillars, too.

Recommended: primrose, aubretia, sweet rocket, lavender, thyme and thistle

Native trees

To encourage a wide variety of wildlife to visit your garden, it is advisable to choose native trees and shrubs. Scottish wildlife has evolved with these particular species, and this makes them much more likely to survive where they are present.

Recommended: trees - alder, cherry, oak and willow; shrubs - blackthorn, broom and buckthorn

Climbing plants

Climbing plants on fences or walls make nesting and roosting sites for birds, and provide a haven for small animals and insects. Choose plants which have nectar-rich flowers followed by fruit, such as honeysuckle. Evergreens like ivy are also important.

Recommended: honeysuckle, vetch, wild rose and ivy

Hedges

Hedges provide living space and food for all sorts of wildlife, from insects to birds and small mammals. Plants that produce lots of berries - such as berberis and pyracantha - are particularly good at attracting birds to your garden.

Recommended: hawthorn, holly, hazel, elder, berberis and pyracantha

Wildflower meadows

A meadow makes a wonderful alternative to plain grass on your lawn and brings vibrant colour to your garden. Whilst it can be difficult to make a meadow from scratch, a good alternative is to plant meadow flowers as plugs in your lawn. Be careful to alter your mowing pattern to allow the flowers to grow!

Recommended: cowslip, ox-eye daisy, meadow cranesbill, yellow rattle and meadow buttercup

Feeding birds

Ensure your garden has a mixture of native plant species, with plenty of sheltered areas for birds to seek refuge. Those that have walls and fences surrounding their garden can encourage  different species of birds by using climbing plants and shrubs to provide cover and nesting sites.

Recommended: wallflower, red campion, wild privet, dog rose and holly

Building a pond

Spring is the best time to put in a new pond. Firstly, choose a sunny site away from overhanging trees. Second, ensure the hole you dig is at least 77cm deep with shallow edges. This will enable your plants to take root and allow easy access for animals. Remove any stones then line the hole with sand (and old carpet if you have it!), before laying out the butyl rubber lining. Make sure to turn the lining in at the edges and cover with turf before filling with water.

Recommended: white water lily, yellow flag iris, purple loosetrife and marsh marigold

Small gardens

A small space need not be a barrier to wildlife. Small, thoughtful changes can have a real impact when attracting wild creatures. Make use of walls, roofs and other structures as well as the ground, and consider planting a window box with butterfly nectar plants. Even the smallest of ponds is valuable - old sinks and buckets can teem with life when placed away from overhanging trees.

Recommended: lavender, marjoram, tobacco plants, scabious and night-scented stocks