Many gardeners assume that only unkempt gardens attracts wildlife, this is untrue, even the most formal gardens can be havens for wildlife, the correct plants can attract wildlife. Wildlife need water, shelter, flowers to breed and grow. Providing this can turn your garden into a habitat perfect for creepy crawlies and minibeasts.

Choosing native plants and single flowering plants will attract birds, butterflies, bees and other nectar loving insects. Trees and hedges provide a hiding place as somewhere for birds to nest and roost, avoid trimming hedges in the spring and summer when birds are likely to be nesting, best to trim these in the winter. Choose trees that produce fruits or berries,

Lawns-Those pesky dandelions are a great food source for many birds including blackbirds, goldfinches and sparrows as well as for bees and other nectar loving insects.Leave a patch of lawn uncut, this will create a small habitat for insects and birds that forage for worms and other grubs.

Trees and hedges provide hiding places as well as somewhere for birds to nest and roost, trees that provide flowers attract nectar loving insects and any fruits or berries that are produced act as a food source for birds.

Climbing plants are also perfect for creating shelter, and if you have space a bird box and a feeding table.

A small log pile creates fantastic shelter for wondering hedgehogs, as well as spiders, ear wigs and other insects as well as toads, frogs and slowworms. Create small pond, does not have to big or fancy or deep. It creates a natural water source for animals and birds and attracts amphibians as well as dragonflies. Toads, frogs and newts may even use it as a breeding ground. Children would love to watch frogspawn emerge into tadpoles.

When using insecticide to kill aphids and such like, use these sprays late evening or early morning when bees are not active, these substances are incredibly harmful to these pollinators, including butterflies.

Here are my top 5 Plants & Trees I recommend to help your garden attract nature.

• 1.Sorbus aucuparia Cardinal Royal- Produces bee friendly flowers and berries for a food source.
• 2.Lonicera Dropemore Scarlet- gorgeous scented flowers, bee friendly and is a form of native honeysuckle.
• 3.Crataegus Prunifolia- This tree is very thorny but very attractive to bees, squirrels and birds.
• 4.Viburnum Opulus- Excellent flowers for bees, moths, butterflies as well as birds, caterpillars love it.
• 5.Buddleja- A common shrub producing scented flowers also known as the butterfly bush! It is loved by all nectar loving insects.