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Wild borders advice

gazlemongazlemon Posts: 1
in Problem solving
Hello all
I really love our garden, but we both work full time and so though I have been able to take care of my lawn, I've gradually lost control of my borders over the years. 

Thing is, I quite like it. I do love the idea of my garden being good for native wildlife, and it's always filled with butterflies, birds and lots of lovely life. Unexpected flowers, I have a massive Bay Tree, beautiful thistles. My kids pick and eat blackberries in the garden. 

What are people's thoughts on what I should do with my borders? If I leave them to carry on going wild are there risks? Is there a middle ground? Some people come round and love it. Others are faintly horrified (tbh my partner is I think!). 

I am in now way an experienced gardener. Any thoughts/advice are welcome! 

o all

Posts

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    If you like it then leave it, personally I think even plants for wild life need a certain amount of maintaining,   I don’t know how long it’s been like that,  not too long I should think, in a couple of years it could just be covered with brambles, being the most prolific growers there. 
    You've also got Rosebay Willow herb ready to send it’s seeds right along your garden and several neighbours as well.   That’s one wild flower I won’t let seed in my garden.
    but, it’s your garden, so you have the choice.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I would keep an eye on the brambles.  As Lyn says, they can take over. My garden has a large proportion  of wild plants, but it still needs a bit of refereeing to make sure the thugs don't  take over.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd agree with @Lyn and @B3 that, very quickly, an un-maintained wild area can just get a bit too wild. 
    Certainly, willowherb is a nightmare if you have it, and those thistles are the same. All the wilder areas round here are a sea of white just now with them. 

    I'd be inclined to do a bit of clearing just now. Perhaps put in a few wildlife friendly plants to replace the rather unruly wild ones, and maybe a few more shrubs which will need very little attention. That will save you on gardening/maintenance time. 
    I don't know if you have any spring bulbs, but a few hardy geraniums underplanted with those, is an easy fix and provides insects/bees etc with early food.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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