Creating a meadow type eden in my garden

[blummineck]

Morning!

Next year, I'm looking to lift half my driveway in the back and I would like to create a type of meadow type haven with lots of fragrant flowers and shrubs etc, that will attract birds etc, we may also consider a pond as well.

Anyone have this type of thing in their garden? What type of plants should I be planting in this area? Its a south facing garden.

All tips and tricks much appreciated.

xxx

My garden is also a south facing slope. What's your soil like?

Native species are great for wildlife and many of them are really easy to grow as well. Depending on space, trees and shrubs like yew, holly, hawthorn, hazel and blackthorn are great for birds (ask around on freecycle, these things quite often come up on their own so another gardener might be able to give you a freebie). Grapevines are good if you've got something for it to grow up.

Ponds are brilliant for all kinds of wildlife, they don't even have to be very big. Remember to put a slope in so that any hedgehogs that decide to go for a dip will be able to get out.

You can buy packs of mixed seeds to attract bees and butterflies. I don't know the names of many of them but one that is popular with insects is scorpion weed. A lot of herbs attract bees too; lavender, oregano and rosemary are always covered in bees in my garden. And where insects go, birds follow

Buddleia is great for butterflies and I quite often see birds eating the seeds (I assume that's what they're doing) in the autumn.

Ohh lots of great advice there! Thanks!

As for the soil... I'm not actually sure until the drive comes up. I expect I'll have to add some stuff to it.....

As for freecycle, I'll take a look, would never have thought of going there for plants and the like......

xxx

Don't add anything to the soil, wild plants do much better in poor soil and as this is mumsnet regards to the pond please put it off if you have small children, they learn to open gates and are very good climbers. Leave an area for putting in a pond at a later date. Keep to native species. There are lots of good books out there the one I would recommend is How to make a wildlife garden by Chris Baines, this is fantastic and sure you could find it on Amazon