Make your patio a haven for wildlife

Tips from BBOWT's Ben Vanheems

Patios might seem an unlikely place for wildlife, but with a few simple changes, they can become buzzing, bird-filled spaces full of life.

• Start with containers. Pots are the easiest way to welcome nature in. Choose simple, single flowers that pollinators love, and don't forget herbs - they're great for wildlife and useful for you too.
• Lavender works beautifully as a centrepiece, with plants like petunias and trailing ground ivy to fill the pot and spill over the sides.
• Cornfield flowers are another easy win. Grown in pots or beds, they provide lots of pollen and nectar for bees, butterflies and other insects. Sow them in spring, or in autumn for flowers the following summer.
• Water is just as important as food. A small water feature gives birds a place to drink and bathe, while a bird feeder keeps them well fed. Remember to clean feeders regularly to keep birds healthy.

Photos by Emma Robertshaw and Megan Lowe.

If you're feeling adventurous, why not make a mini wildlife pond? Use a watertight container, add gravel to the bottom, and build up the edges with stones so creatures can get in and out safely. Fill with rainwater if possible, then add a mix of water plants.

Don't forget vertical spaces like fences and walls. Climbers such as jasmine or honeysuckle add scent and colour, while ivy and wall-hugging shrubs provide shelter.

You can also soften paving edges with plants like sedum, creeping thyme or even self-seeders popping up between the cracks.

With just a few well-chosen pots and plants, even the smallest patio can become a beautiful space for you to enjoy and a welcome refuge for local wildlife.

For more wildlife gardening ideas, visit bbowt.org.uk

"Pots are the easiest way to welcome nature in. Choose simple, single flowers that pollinators love, and don't forget herbs - they're great for wildlife and useful for you too."