Embracing Native Plants: Enhancing Your Garden with Native Planting to boost Bio Diversity

In the quest to create stunning outdoor spaces, many gardeners overlook one of the most valuable resources right in their own backyard: native plants. These indigenous species, perfectly adapted to their local environment, offer a host of benefits for both gardeners and the planet alike. At Rewild Garden Design, we're passionate about promoting the use of native plants in garden design, and here's why you should be too.

How does native planting boost biodiversity?

1. Supports Local Wildlife: Native plants provide essential food and habitat for local wildlife, including birds, butterflies, and pollinators. By planting native species, you can create a biodiverse ecosystem that supports a thriving community of beneficial insects and animals. Although adult butterflies, moths, and various other insects may not be picky eaters when it comes to their food plants, the larval stages often have specific requirements. Unfortunately, these crucial larval stages are frequently overlooked by gardeners aiming to establish a wildlife-friendly garden. From vibrant native wildflowers such as Vipers Bugloss, Common Fleabane and Dogtooth Violets to some of their less glamorous counterparts such as Milk Thistles, Nettles and Dock, native plants attract a diverse array of wildlife at all stages of their life cycles, enhancing the ecological value of your garden. Including just some of these native plants in your planting scheme will greatly boost the bio diversity of your garden.

Resilience and Adaptability: In an era of climate change and unpredictable weather patterns, native plants offer resilience and adaptability that non-native species often lack. These hardy plants are naturally suited to withstand local climatic extremes, from droughts to floods, making them an ideal choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance landscapes that can weather the elements with ease.

"The best strategy to support invertebrates living in the greenery in your garden is to use predominantly British native plants. Even if you don't have a lot of British native plants in your garden, planting schemes based on near-native plants may support only marginally fewer invertebrates." - RHS

Eco-Friendly Adaptability: Plants native to the UK have evolved over millennia to thrive in our specific climate and soil conditions. This is great news for gardeners because as a result of their evolution in our climate, they require minimal additional input by the gardener. In practise this means less to no additional watering, no need for addition of fertiliser or feeds, and overall less maintenance compared to non-native species. By incorporating native plants into your garden, you can reduce water usage and chemical inputs into your garden and soil, leading to a more sustainable, environmentally friendly, biodiverse landscape.

Preserving Biodiversity: As urbanisation continues to encroach upon natural habitats, the importance of preserving biodiversity in our gardens cannot be overstated. By planting native species, you can help preserve the unique character and genetic diversity of your local flora, contributing to the conservation of native plant communities and the protection of threatened species.

What does all this mean to gardeners?

Incorporating native plants into your garden offers a multitude of benefits, from promoting sustainability and supporting wildlife to enhancing the beauty and resilience of your outdoor space. At Rewild Garden Design, we're here to help you harness the power of native planting and boost bio diversity in your landscape design, creating a vibrant and ecologically sound garden that you can enjoy for years to come.