Dorset Wildlife Trust
No.4 in a series of eight leaflets (1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.)
Trees, hedges and borders have been features of our gardens for centuries. We regard trees and hedges as a way of gaining privacy and shelter while borders make our gardens most attractive. With a little tweaking here and there, our urban trees, hedges and borders can provide all these features for us, with the added bonus of creating habitats for wildlife. This is especially important as the equivalent countryside habitats: woodlands, hedgerows and verges, are being destroyed at an alarming rate.
Most of us are not lucky enough to have a big enough garden to develop full woodland, however, as with all the leaflets in this series, there are many tips to help you create a woodland edge habitat on a small plot. All you need is enough space for a hedge or a couple of small trees, and a hammock!
This leaflet offers advice on creating beautiful borders to attract butterflies galore, tips on hedge management which offers shelter and food for birds and other wildlife, and how to create a mini woodland.
You don't need to sacrifice neatness for nature, borders often form a formal entrance to our homes. It is possible, though not essential, to maintain that formality whilst adding the extra dimension of butterflies and other visitors to your garden.
Simply adding plants that provide nectar year round will attract a host of butterflies for you to enjoy. You can also practice companion planting, for example by adding poached eggplants and sunflowers you will attract an army of hoverflies to eat your aphids. Why not try adding a few fragrant herbs and attractive vegetables - your border will then supply you with a healthy source of vegetables too. (See leaflet No.8 for more information)
Traditionally, this habitat is incredibly rich in wildlife as it forms a transition zone between the
shady woodland and a sunny field. You can find a whole host of species taking advantage of the excellent mix of conditions. You can copy these conditions in your garden and at the same time will create the perfect place to hang a hammock or have a picnic table - imagine relaxing in dappled sunshine, surrounded by flowers and birds!
If you already have a tree, you need to observe the patterns of the sun to see where the sunny and shaded areas are. Also look for any dry or damp spots as this will influence the type of plants you Place in various locations.
If you don't have any trees, choose 'whips' rather than pot grown saplings. (Small trees up to about 90cm in height). They do not require stakes or ties as they are stronger and grow much faster than the taller trees you see in pots, catching up in approximately 4-5 years. Trees grown from a young age in a particular spot are generally more healthy than those transplanted in later life.
Be aware that tree roots can affect your buildings, so plant your tree with this in mind. Good native trees for planting near to houses are birch, crab apple, hawthorn, wild cherry and rowan, (minimum distance is approximately 8-10 metres away from the house). As these trees are native, they have up to 200 associated insect species. An alternative is to plant a fruit tree, make sure they have roots grafted to the tree which will not harm your house. Any good nursery should be able to advise you with specific reference to your house, soil and the tree you require.
Hedges are vital corridors for animals to move from one place to another. They are as important in towns as they are in the countryside. Up to 20 species of butterfly breed in hedgerows and birds such as yellowhammer and garden warbler nest at very high densities. Hundreds of plants can be found along established hedgerows that have been managed in a traditional way for many decades.
Hedges are so valuable for wildlife as they offer shelter, food and a variety of habitats in such a small space - there will nearly always be a shady and a sunny side to a hedge.
Beneath your hedge, the ground is often bare as few garden plants will grow in such a shady environment. This is the perfect opportunity to add pretty hedgerow flowers such as bluebell, betony and hedge woundwort. (See table for further species) Look for seed mixtures and ferns especially for this purpose. (suppliers on back page).
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