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What wildlife can I attract by planting a goldcrest conifer in the middle of an overgrown area?

deadendwaterfalldeadendwaterfall Posts: 70
in Wildlife gardening
The overgrown area has some brambles and nettles, plus lots of long grass, but I've made a large clearing in the middle to plant something in. 

Considering that goldcrest conifers aren't actually native to the UK, what wildlife has an affinity for this type of shrub, if any? 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    None really. When they're big enough, they can provide shelter for birds, and you may get some insects lurking around new growth which birds will eat, but that's about it.
    The brambles and nettles will be more useful.

    If you want a shrub, it's better to use something which has flowers/fruit if you want to attract wildlife, and the wildlife will depend on what's already in the area. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    A variegated holly can be clipped to form a wide dome shape and I have had birds nest in mine. The cats don't like the holly much.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited July 2023
    Brambles and nettles are far more valuable  to many sorts of wildlife
    than a non native  cypress tree. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • AnguisFragilisAnguisFragilis Posts: 95
    Conifers do next to nothing. Plant a native deciduous tree
  • deadendwaterfalldeadendwaterfall Posts: 70
    AnguisFragilis said:
    Conifers do next to nothing. Plant a native deciduous tree
    I know this sounds very random, but would hazelnut do well in an area as mentioned in the original post? 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I think it would do much better there … that’s just the sort of spot it grows in out in the countryside … and much better for wildlife than a non native Goldcrest cypress. Another suggestion would be Viburnum opulus often called Guelder Rose, but it’s not a rose. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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