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PLANTING FLOWERING PLANTS
FLOWERING PLANTS will bring colour and
vibrancy to any garden – even the smallest balcony
or terrace – and provide nectar, seeds and cover for
wildlife. These versatile plants can grow readily
both in the ground and in containers.
PLANTING FOR WILDLIFE
The mixed border has long been the mainstay of the garden and
can be a quick and easy way to bring year-round colour and
wildlife to your garden. Flowering plants are excellent at filling
gaps between the main structural trees and shrubs. In this
context, flowering plants include herbaceous, biennial and
annual plants and bulbs.
• Plant herbaceous perennial roots, such as angelica, scabious
and agrimony, from autumn through to spring. This is also the
best time to divide and transplant established perennials.
• Most flowering plants should be planted at spacings of
25–50 cm (10–20 inches). Try to incorporate plenty of organic
compost into the soil, and mulch around the base of the plant
after planting.
• Potted herbaceous plants may be planted throughout the year.
Those planted in spring or early summer will require watering.
• Plant spring-flowering bulbs, such as crocuses, tulips and
daffodils, in the autumn.
• Establish annual and biennial plants in late spring. This can be
done by either sowing them directly onto the bed or growing
them in a cold frame or greenhouse before planting out.
denotes priority action
For more ideas please visit:
www.rspb.org.uk/hfw/advice/08
• Annuals and biennials need regular watering. Once
established, many seed themselves and usually require
less nurturing.
• A bed of wild annual flowers such as corncockles, cornflowers
and poppies looks very attractive, as do wild herbaceous
plants such as oxeye daisies and primroses.
• Additional colour and structure can be created by including
varieties of small ornamental grasses among the borders.
TOOLS FOR THE JOB
• Hand fork and trowel – for planting flowering plants
• Small border spade and fork – for planting and weeding
• Hoe – for weeding between the plants
BENEFITS TO WILDLIFE
• Flowering plants provide vital nectar and pollen for insects.
They also provide seeds on which many birds may come to
feed in autumn and winter.
• The cover provided by flowering plants helps retain moisture,
creating ideal conditions for many beneficial insects and
somewhere safe for birds and mammals to come and forage.
• Single-petalled varieties are of most benefit to insects. Many
modern hybrids with multiple layers of petals look attractive,
but are often not as rich in nectar and pollen.
Many specific species of plant are valuable to wildlife. Any or
all of the following are worthy of consideration:
Foxtail millet is an ornamental grass much liked by some
seed-eating birds such as house sparrows.
Knapweeds are attractive to many different insects, particularly
bees, butterflies, moths and hoverflies.
Sunflowers are attractive to bees, butterflies and hoverflies,
and birds feed on the seeds.
Front: illustration by Chris Shields (RSPB), photos by David Levenson
(rspb-images.com), Nick Droy (RSPB) and John Day (RSPB). Back: photos
by John Day (RSPB).
Regd charity England & Wales no 207076, Scotland no SC037654 380-0087-07-08