Gardening for wildlife

Planting non-native species can sometimes introduce diseases that seriously affect native ones eg Dutch Elm disease. Dutch Elm Disease is the fungus, Ophiostoma ulmi, which is spread by the bark beetles Scolytus scolytus and Scolytus multistriatus. These beetles feed in the upper branches of the tree and introduce the fungal spores to exposed tissue. Once infected the disease spreads rapidly and unless treated at the early stages the tree will not survive. Although the disease was first recorded in the UK in 1927 it was a non-aggressive strain and had a very limited impact. However in the 1960's a more aggressive strain, originating from North America, was imported into this country via diseased timber. Within 10 years 50% of all English elms in the south of Britain had been destroyed. Further north the effects were less devastating due to climate and relative isolation.
Japanese Knotweed is a prime example of introducing a foreign species that then thrives due to having no natural enemies, much to the detriment of local flora and fauna.
With the destruction of local species comes the reduction and eventual loss of all those that depend on them ; butterflies and birds being particularly sensitive.

Visit The Natural History Museum's Postcode Plants Database. It has provided us with an extensive database of native flora searchable by postcode based on the Atlas of the British Flora, 3rd Edition (published by the Botanical Society of the British Isles, 1982).
Using the Postcode Plants Database to identify suitable plants, gardeners and householders can contribute directly to native species conservation in Britain.

In my postcode area, I found that there are over 600 native species , including

• 142 annuals, e.g. Anthemis cotula (Stinking Chamomile!)


• 38 biennials, e.g. Campanula glomerata (Clustered Bellflower)


• 6 climbers, e.g. Clematis vitalba (Traveller's-joy)


• 43 geophytes, e.g. Iris pseudacorus (Yellow Iris)


• 59 herbaceous perennials


• 17 large shrubs or small trees


• 19 large trees


• 36 marsh plants


• 202 perennials


• 2 parasites ie Cuscuta europaea (Greater Dodder) and Viscum album (Mistletoe)