The one thing every gardener can do to encourage more wildlife
Whether you're able to make big and bold design changes in your garden or some smaller tweaks to your outdoor space, introducing water can make a huge difference to wildlife
I’ve just overseen the landscaping of a major development in one of my client’s gardens, the main features being a small deck and a sizeable pond. The garden is quite traditional: large lawn and disproportionately small borders on either side - mature evergreens on the shady side, perennials, roses, and more large shrubs on the sunny side. It also has the most amazing isu tree, Dystilium racemosum, a member of the witch hazel family. Prior to my arrival the tree had already been serving the local bird population as a place to perch, build nests and house several feeding stations. The client was already delighted with the level of bird activity but wanted to encourage more and other wildlife into the garden. Last year she experimented with Plantlife's 'No Mow May' and loved the emergence of wildflowers in the long grass. That was the beginning of her journey to re-wilding her garden.
If there’s one single thing you can do to bring more wildlife into your garden, that’s to provide a source of water. And you can do so, even in small spaces.
But in this garden, it would be no small water feature. Taking advantage of an existing concrete block, I designed the deck to go over this and the pond to stretch out from the deck across two thirds of the garden, avoiding the canopy of the isu tree. Everything orientates around the pond, which, it must be said, is glorious. A combination of large rocks, cobbles and big pebbles edge it, with two ‘beaches’ on either side for frogs, toads and newts. Let’s not forget the increase in birds and the plethora of small insects and pond life - dragonflies, damselflies, pond skaters, that will come, inhabit and colonise it. This new pond has totally transformed the space and the deck is the perfect vantage point to view pond life at close quarters.
Admittedly not everyone has the space for a 15 square-metre pond but a vessel as small as a washing up bowl or old sink can do the trick. Add rocks and steps to facilitate access in and out, a few plants to oxygenate and beautify the pond, and the wildlife will come. Birds like still water, so if you do want the sound of moving water, another feature, closer to the seating area would be best.
I chose the landscapers carefully as I wanted guys who had the creativity and flair to deliver it, and just as importantly, an innate feel for this type of garden. The design has no angles, it’s all organic curves and meandering paths. The deck curves into the pond which has a naturalistic profile. The prairie planting, when completed, will frame the top end of the pond. The client was keen to lose the ‘kept lawn’ look and we agreed on a hybrid of no-mow, mown paths, prairie and meadow planting. Islands of long grass partly obscure the view of the pond until you walk down into the garden and reach it.
The eye has so much to take in; following mown paths around and through the garden, being pulled down the garden to the tall prairie planting, wondering about the intrigue of the large rocks just peeping through the long grass.
The view from the house, especially by midsummer when the grass is growing quickly, will be so different from last year. The eye has so much to take in; following mown paths around and through the garden, being pulled down the garden to the tall prairie planting, wondering about the intrigue of the large rocks just peeping through the long grass. The mid ground is now a softer, naturalistic, wilder garden.
Embracing a new way of thinking
What does this mean for her decades old gardener who is used to mowing, clipping, and shaping everything? We’re working together on a way forward. A conversation we had recently revealed that he was warming to the idea. He reminisced about his childhood, how he loved putting out suet balls for the birds and filling up the bird bath, joining the dots from his early years’ experience and how that interest in birds and wildlife never really goes away.
I was reminded that no matter what the age, we all share a fascination and connection with our feathered friends, especially the beautiful songbirds. And that’s why a body of water, pond sized or otherwise, is a very worthwhile investment in any garden. It brings circularity to our lives, reinforcing our interdependency with nature. I can’t wait to see how the garden evolves and witness my client’s joy in her new space. Let’s high five pond life!
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