South Notts Local Group

Rushcliffe Borough Council and Notts Wildlife Trust have produced a Wildlife Gardening Leaflet.

If you want a copy please send an A5 SAE to Gordon Dyne, 29 Westerham Rd, Ruddington, Notts NG11 6DP.

Going Wild in West Bridgford

Tangly trees, weedy lawns, mouldy leaves and nettles everywhere If your idea of a wildlife garden is a neglected jungle, then think again! Dennis Heffernan's garden in West Bridgford proves that nature and cultivation can go together, with the best of both worlds for the lover of wildlife and horticulture. Dennis has been a member of the Wildlife Trust for over 30 years. He has poured all his experience into his garden, creating a place of beauty and a haven for wildlife.

Over the years he has planted trees and flowers that are useful for his wildlife visitors. "I have planted a combination of common and more unusual plants to attract insects, butterflies and moths into the garden, such as red valerian, the ice plant, buddleias, and tansy." says Dennis. "I also grow herbs such as marjoram and thyme."

These plants are rich in nectar and provide welcome food for the many garden visitors . Dennis also feeds the birds, with bird feeders and tables scattered throughout the garden, each featuring a different type of seed to encourage a range of bird species. "I have made sure the wildlife is catered for all year " says Dennis  "The ice plant is useful in the autumn, whereas forget-me-nots are good in the spring."

However, Dennis is keen that his love for the wildlife doesn't mean that they can take over his garden. Once finished flowering he is quite brutal with some of the self-seeding flowers that could become invasive. Some plants don't make it into the garden at all, despite being excellent for the wildlife. "I won't have teasels in the garden," says Dennis. "They spread everywhere. Instead I have planted globe thistles, they are almost as good, but don't run mad in the same way."

Dennis's whole approach is one of balance and his practical approach is applied to other areas of the garden too. It is accepted wisdom that any wildlife garden worth its salt should have a wildlife pond, to encourage frogs, newts and toads. However, this garden has to do without a water feature. "I've got five small grandchildren," he explains. "I felt that a pond would be too risky while there are toddlers about. I encourage the frogs and toads in other ways." Piles of stones, leaves left under hedges, logs left lying about, can all provide suitable homes for frogs and toads. If you decide to have a pond, don't put any fish in it - they eat the frogspawn!"

The habitats of once common birds, insects, amphibians, and mammals are being eroded. Even the sparrow is now becoming a rarity. By making your garden a haven for wildlife, you can provide a home for a range of helpful species, birds will eat insects, frogs and hedgehogs will eat slugs and snails, while bees will pollinate your flowers. And the beauty of it is you don't have to go out of your way to encourage wildlife to come into your garden. It does mean avoiding using chemicals as much as possible and not being too tidy, as leaves, stones, and logs can provide an excellent home for a whole range of species. But it dosent have to be a jungle; "I like to think of West Bridgford as one great big nature reserve." says Dennis.

Interview with Dennis Heffernan reprinted from Agenda21 Living for Tomorrow

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