Planting for biodiversity (not just the bumbly fellas!)

[ReturnOfFatBack]

I'm moving towards planting for birds rather than feeding them, and trying to get more native caterpillar-friendly plants into the garden. I'm ok bee-wise.

I have a small border that is in shade all day, what can I plant there for birds? I think lamium for caterpillars will do OK. I know ferns will grow there, but do they do anything useful?

thistles and nettles!

berries

Ivy, holly and cornus do OK in shade and birds love them, although it could be a while before an ivy you plant now makes berries.

I kept some nettles... For 33 years. Never seen a caterpillar (or any signs of them feeding) yet! 😂

Novice gardner here watching with interest. I’m about to plant a climbing geranium against a north-facing wall, but no idea if that’s going to be of much interest to insects. I also have a border n front of that wall — was looking at Solomon’s Seal?

An open meadow is the best. Grass, thistles, clover, dandelion... a border/hedgerow of ivy, bramble, blackthorn and hazel. Obviously if you have specific species in mind (butterflies), you can look up their larval food plants and plant accordingly... just be aware that some are geographically localised, I.e. unless you live in Norfolk, you can plant all the milk parsley you like, you're not going to see them.

According to the Woodland Trust, juniper is good for birds (and caterpillars).

You'll also get plenty of cabbage whites if you plant brassicas...

Also think about planting for moths! (And therefore also supporting bats)

So pale coloured flowers that release scent in evening. Evening primrose and jasmine are supposed to be good, as well as limiting artificial light in thr garden at night.

Lurking
No real money for plants but trying

Nettles for larvae, not so much thistles.

A surprising number of butterfly and moth larvae live on grass.

Garlic Mustard (Jack by the Hedge) is good for orange tips and happy in shade.

Ferns I imagine are good for leaf litter dwelling invertebrates

No me. Has anyone any tips for cheap ways of acquiring plants? No one I know has any particular net rest or knowledge. My parents and ILs just have lawn and bedding plants in hanging baskets.

I follow a girl on insta called anya the garden fairy who talks about this she seems good

Thistles are great for many birds though, ours attract goldfinches, stone chats, wheatears, greenfinches, linnets etc - in the middle of a city

Unfortunately I have a small shady border, not an open meadow, but I can dream.

birds love pycanthea in my garden, and of course holly.

Ooh, I like the look of juniper, but maybe that would be better in a sunnier spot. I have jasmine, and no outdoor lighting, so hopefully the moths are being catered for.

A blackcurrant would be fine in shade. Good for caterpillars, bees love the flowers and the birds would eat the berries, and whatever bugs they can find.

Assorted small birds spend a lot of time hopping around our current bushes eating various insects and grubs. They also like the silver birch and bay trees.

Evening primroses is great for goldfinches, as well as moths (and therefore bats). Finches love the seeds. And it doesn't mind some shade.

Keeping a bit of long grass at the edges of the garden is also helpful for moths.

A deep layer of leaf litter full of invertebrates would attract blackbirds, also robins, dunnocks, wrens

Seeds. Much cheaper than buying plants, although supermarkets usually have budget ones. Lots of things can be grown from cuttings, so ask friends and neighbours. There are always things growing in my garden I can take cuttings from, or things that have self-seeded everywhere. Gardeners are always keen to share and swap things.

i second the seed suggestion. I'm waiting for LIDLS to come into stock which are supposed to be good and i hear cost £1 for 4 packs.

For moths I have evening primrose; night scented phlox & honeysuckle.
For birds - we don't cut our lawn, so that encourages lots of bugs; we have a huge blackberry hybrid that they love hiding in & eating. Also blackcurrants, raspberries, gooseberries, strawberries & blueberries. Lots of bushy plants like honeysuckle provide shelter from predators & berries. We had goldfinches last year on the dandelions.
Leave seed heads on where you can & encourage leaf litter & unkempt areas for bugs - this will attract birds.
We had the most amazing caterpillars last year - Mullin Moth caterpillars on our buddleia; & we've had hummingbird hawk moths, dragonflies & damselflies too even though we don't yet have a pond.

@OnOtherPlanets I lurk regularly in the reduced/clearance sections of local garden centres - get lots of bargains in there.

Nasturtiums. I always get a huge amount of caterpillars on mine

This all sounds amazing.