We have a wildlife top garden. Another way of saying we're leaving it alone. It has plenty of large trees and a few smaller. Beech, hazel, yew, Holly, large conifers like leylandii but topped off and slightly nicer. There's other trees too. Underneath there's wild garlic, bluebells, a few stands of daffodils that have not been able to take over. There's snowdrops too. There's also vinca minor, or I hope it's minor. Either will grow away and take over but major I believe is a bit too vigorous for domestic gardens. There's also a plant with a slightly variagated leaf that looks kind of mint or catmint like in leaf. I can't recall what it is but we've been advised to remove whenever we see it. Too invasive.
I like to look at what local woods have. Our garden at the top part/wildlife part, which we've only just got with the house we bought, is basically like local woods except with the conifers and a couple of fruit trees. It's a limestone rock area and all the trees and undergrowth does very well round here. If you match the native species in your local woods perhaps that's an idea that suits you? It'll make a good wildlife corridor I reckon. Have you thought about setting up some wildlife cameras? You can get them quite cheaply but still good enough. Might be fun.
You'll need loads of plants for that area so just a note on pulminaria for starters, I divided 1 plant up into 25 separate plants and 18months on everyone is a fully developed plant in full flower. Best luck I love it
We have a wildlife top garden. Another way of saying we're leaving it alone. It has plenty of large trees and a few smaller. Beech, hazel, yew, Holly, large conifers like leylandii but topped off and slightly nicer. There's other trees too. Underneath there's wild garlic, bluebells, a few stands of daffodils that have not been able to take over. There's snowdrops too. There's also vinca minor, or I hope it's minor. Either will grow away and take over but major I believe is a bit too vigorous for domestic gardens. There's also a plant with a slightly variagated leaf that looks kind of mint or catmint like in leaf. I can't recall what it is but we've been advised to remove whenever we see it. Too invasive.
I like to look at what local woods have. Our garden at the top part/wildlife part, which we've only just got with the house we bought, is basically like local woods except with the conifers and a couple of fruit trees. It's a limestone rock area and all the trees and undergrowth does very well round here. If you match the native species in your local woods perhaps that's an idea that suits you? It'll make a good wildlife corridor I reckon. Have you thought about setting up some wildlife cameras? You can get them quite cheaply but still good enough. Might be fun.
Yes, fabulous idea about matching the native species in our local wood (which fortunately is just a stone's throw from the garden). I do want to use it for what it is - a wildlife corridor - and plant things that are in keeping.
I have a wildlife trail camera which I periodically set up there it's huge fun! The foxes come through there down from the fields and occasionally bring their cubs in the spring. Get the odd badger, owl ... and dozens of squirrels, much to the dog's delight/annoyance!!
You'll need loads of plants for that area so just a note on pulminaria for starters, I divided 1 plant up into 25 separate plants and 18months on everyone is a fully developed plant in full flower. Best luck I love it
We are on the edge of a village with a steeply banking rear garden. Bottom half is more formal, top half is the v wildlife garden. Mostly trees and local plants underneath. There's a few hellebore plants in top and bottom gardens too.
There was a great visitation one evening as our son was doing homework at the dining room table. A fox came up to the raised lawn bank above the dining room window and looked in just as our son looked out. Eyes met for a moment then they both ran off. Son to the kitchen to tell us, fox back into the wildlife garden.
All I get to see is a vole and a wood pigeon. Not as lucky. Need a wildlife camera I think.
Copying local woods with a few gardening inspirations is certainly the way to go imho.
We are on the edge of a village with a steeply banking rear garden. Bottom half is more formal, top half is the v wildlife garden. Mostly trees and local plants underneath. There's a few hellebore plants in top and bottom gardens too.
There was a great visitation one evening as our son was doing homework at the dining room table. A fox came up to the raised lawn bank above the dining room window and looked in just as our son looked out. Eyes met for a moment then they both ran off. Son to the kitchen to tell us, fox back into the wildlife garden.
All I get to see is a vole and a wood pigeon. Not as lucky. Need a wildlife camera I think.
Copying local woods with a few gardening inspirations is certainly the way to go imho.
Lovely story about your fox! Yes I can recommend a trail camera; the excitement in the morning about what might have been spotted during the night is infectious
Sounds like you live in a beautiful spot. We are on a hill leading out of a city centre but the garden backs onto fields so feels like the countryside. I have most definitely taken on board your advice about inspiration from the woods. The dog will be pleased to have any excuses to go to the woods too
A dog as a gardening aid!! Does it help you dig as well as find gardening inspiration?
Ours has a habit of just sitting outside at night looking left and right constantly. It's dark and she's still there looking left and right. I guess she's still getting used to a garden.
A dog as a gardening aid!! Does it help you dig as well as find gardening inspiration?
Ours has a habit of just sitting outside at night looking left and right constantly. It's dark and she's still there looking left and right. I guess she's still getting used to a garden.
He chases a ball up and down that wooded area in the garden which does actually help keep some of the weeds down
If you have areas where you need to suppress weeds, you can lay plain, brown cardboard over the area. Wet the cardboard thoroughly, then add a nice layer of mulch or compost and plant directly into the compost. The cardboard acts as a weed suppressant but will decompose into the soil in a year or two. Use plain brown cardboard boxes -- not anything with shiny ink. Works like a charm.
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I like to look at what local woods have. Our garden at the top part/wildlife part, which we've only just got with the house we bought, is basically like local woods except with the conifers and a couple of fruit trees. It's a limestone rock area and all the trees and undergrowth does very well round here. If you match the native species in your local woods perhaps that's an idea that suits you? It'll make a good wildlife corridor I reckon. Have you thought about setting up some wildlife cameras? You can get them quite cheaply but still good enough. Might be fun.
I have a wildlife trail camera which I periodically set up there
We are on the edge of a village with a steeply banking rear garden. Bottom half is more formal, top half is the v wildlife garden. Mostly trees and local plants underneath. There's a few hellebore plants in top and bottom gardens too.
There was a great visitation one evening as our son was doing homework at the dining room table. A fox came up to the raised lawn bank above the dining room window and looked in just as our son looked out. Eyes met for a moment then they both ran off. Son to the kitchen to tell us, fox back into the wildlife garden.
All I get to see is a vole and a wood pigeon. Not as lucky. Need a wildlife camera I think.
Copying local woods with a few gardening inspirations is certainly the way to go imho.
Sounds like you live in a beautiful spot. We are on a hill leading out of a city centre but the garden backs onto fields so feels like the countryside. I have most definitely taken on board your advice about inspiration from the woods. The dog will be pleased to have any excuses to go to the woods too
Ours has a habit of just sitting outside at night looking left and right constantly. It's dark and she's still there looking left and right. I guess she's still getting used to a garden.