The most ordinary garden can become a wildlife haven offering a diverse habitat for more creatures than can ever be found in any natural environment of similar size. Conservation now focuses on creating biological systems with all plants and animals interacting and depending on each other. Ironically such systems are carefully planned and managed and not just an excuse for letting nature take over.
Plants provide the basis for these complex systems as these alone can convert sunlight into living material. Apart from nectar, fruits, seeds and vegetation for food, plants also provide the structures for breeding, resting, hibernating and shelter which attract regular visitors and residents. As gardeners are all to well aware some of these such as aphids, slugs or caterpillars can cause considerable damage when the system is out of balance and predators not present in sufficient numbers to keep things under control. Apart from stealing our plums, wasps collect large numbers of insects to feed their larvae; ladybirds and hoverfly larvae eat their way through colonies of greenfly. Frogs and hedgehogs, apart from the unseen ground beetle, find the slug a moorish, tasty morsel.
The following suggests a range of easily obtainable plants that would attract wild life into your garden.
BUTTERFLIES
Tall Buddleia davidii, hebe
Medium Michaelmas daisy, hemp agrimony, sweet william, red valerian, Sedum spectabile, Anchusa.
Short Hyssop, Primula denticulate, Marjoram, Aubretia, Bugle, Arabis.
BIRDS
Apple, Berberis, Cotoneaster, Crab apple, Dogwood, Elder, Eleagnus, Evening primrose, Fruit bushes, Guelder rose, Hawthorn, Holly, Honeysuckle, Ivy, Privet, Pyracantha, Rowan, Sunflowers, Yew.
They also like some "weeds" ‑ Brambles, Chickweed, Cow parsley, Dandelion, Groundsel, Plantains, Stinging nettles and Thistles.