Planting native shrubs is a great idea for encouraging and supporting wildlife, such as insects and birds. Two native shrubs we grow as trees, in my own garden, are Holly and Hawthorn.
Holly – is slow-growing, but is bird-friendly. Its dense and prickly foliage provides a windproof shelter. I can vouch that blackbirds and thrushes love the red berries, as each year they are scoffed before I can cut the stems for Christmas decorations. Holly, is a great nesting location and the spring flowers provide nectar and pollen for a variety of insects, including the little holly blue butterfly, which I have spotted in our garden.
Hawthorn – The dark red haws are liked by redwings and fieldfare. Hawthorn’s prickly stems ensure good nesting places for finches, dunnocks, robins, and blackbirds. It has lots of small caterpillars for spring nestlings.
Our actions make a difference!
