After the rigours of the last two years, it was exhilarating to see so many members attending the first meeting of Clays Horticultural Society for 2022 in January.
An enthusiastic audience listened avidly to Janet Merillion talking about how to attract more wildlife into our gardens in her lecture ‘Birds, Bees and Butterflies’. She began by saying that statistics show that 600 species of wildlife are held to be at risk and that 95% of wildflower meadows have disappeared.
She is predominately a garden designer and as such persuades her clients on the importance of trees, even if it is only a small one, in every garden. They provide nesting places for birds and shade in the summer. Lawns are another definite feature required. These must be kept well-watered for good health and growth.
Keeping the garden well stocked with as many varieties of plant as possible reduces pests by attracting our feathered friends and other animals such as hedgehogs for their daily rations. Apparently, each hedgehog needs access to 12 gardens to sustain it. Frogs and toads will also come to dine.
To best attract insects, prune smaller shrub branches to four to six inches in length. Cut back buddleias to about 12 inches and keep it trimmed back to about 3ft spread. Don’t worry about keeping your area too pristine; birds love dead seed heads. Leave your pruning until the end of February or March.
When choosing planting, consider those which produce nectar for the bees, eg Michaelmas daisies, asters and verbena. Ponds – even micro-ponds – also attract a myriad of wildlife.
Janet’s last plea was: “Feed the birds throughout the year; they get used to your garden and in return, they will consume your pests!”
The Society’s next meeting is on 21st March (Perennials for Every Season with Steve Lovell). It starts at 7.30pm in Wheatley Village Hall.