As we come into April the changes we can see outside in terms of our wildlife are rapid. The weather is becoming milder (hopefully) and the days longer, and we have the promising summer months stretching before us. It’s a good time to make plans for the garden and if you would like to do something in your garden to help wildlife this summer then you could try planting some wildflowers.

They offer a diverse set of habitats for various species
Since the 1930s the number of wildflower meadows has seriously declined. This is a big problem as wildflower meadows are extremely valuable in offering a diverse set of habitats for various species. Our bees, birds and butterflies, as well as many other types of wildlife, rely on wildflowers to support their survival. As our wildflower meadows have decreased in number through the years, road verges have offered somewhere for wildflowers to grow instead. However, the continuous cutting of these verges prevents them from flourishing. Our native wildflowers are struggling but there are things we can do.

Luckily you don’t have to have a spare meadow at hand to grow wildflowers – you can grow them on a small scale as well. Wildflowers grow best in low-nutrient soil and, once the area is planted, they are pretty low mainten-ance. A small patch of bare ground can be converted into a lovely display of native wildflowers which will then attract other wildlife. Patience is required though, as it won’t look its best that first year. Instead it will evolve over time as species establish. There are a few things to consider when planting your wildflower area so it’s worth looking at the wealth of information available online from organisations such as Friends of the Earth, the RHS and the RSPB.

If planting wildflowers is something you don’t have time for then another option is to just choose a section of your garden that you can leave to grow wild. Or, if you fancy a break from lawn mowing duties, then let the whole area go wild! You may be surprised what appears both in terms of plants and insects. If you have children you could make it into a fun experiment by completing a bioblitz. See what species they can find on the original patch of garden, record, and then repeat after things have been left to grow a little wilder. You should notice a big difference!

If you would like to do more you could visit www.plantlife.org.uk who campaign to protect our native wild plants and funghi. They are running a campaign to encourage councils to manage road verges in a way that benefits wildflowers whilst keeping roads safe for motorists. You can sign the petition to encourage your local council to do the same at plantlife.love-wildflowers.org.uk/Roadvergecampaign

Prevent wildflowers being lost from our landscapes
Wildflowers are part of our heritage. They feature in art and literature (Shakespeare, amongst others, refers to them in his writing) and were once a key part of our natural landscape. With our bees and butterflies, as well as other species, under severe threat it is crucial that we work together to prevent them being lost from our landscapes altogether.