Best Wildlife Plants for Chiltern Gardens

Why Wildlife Planting Matters in the Chilterns

The Chilterns is one of the most wildlife-rich areas of southern England. The chalk downland, beech woods, wildflower meadows and farmland all support a wide range of species. But intensive farming, development and pesticide use have all reduced the wildlife in our gardens. Gardeners in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Bedfordshire can help by planting for wildlife.

The good news is that wildlife-friendly plants are often the most beautiful garden plants. Lavender, buddleja, echinacea and verbena are garden classics that also support pollinators. Holly, rowan and pyracantha provide berries for birds and structure for the garden. A well-designed wildlife garden looks better than a manicured one, and it supports the local ecosystem.

Best Plants for Bees and Butterflies

Bees and butterflies need nectar-rich flowers throughout the year. Choose plants that flower at different times to provide a continuous food source.

Spring nectar (March to May)

• Crocus, early nectar for bumblebees
• Hellebore, flowers from February to April
• Primrose, native, early nectar
• Mahonia, winter flowers for early bumblebees
• Rosemary, flowers in late winter
• Forsythia, bright yellow flowers in March

Summer nectar (June to August)

• Lavender, the best plant for bees, flowers for months
• Buddleja, the butterfly bush, flowers from July to September
• Verbena bonariensis, tall, airy, butterflies love it
• Sedum, late summer flowers for bees
• Echinacea, long-flowering, butterflies
• Alliums, early summer flowers for bees
• Salvia, long-flowering, bees love it
• Marjoram, herb, flowers for bees

Autumn nectar (September to November)

• Sedum, late flowers for bees preparing for winter
• Ivy, late nectar for bees and butterflies
• Japanese anemone, flowers into October
• Aster, late flowers for butterflies
• Fuchsia, flowers until first frost

Best Plants for Birds

Birds need berries, seeds and shelter. Plant a mix of berrying shrubs and evergreens for year-round support.

Berrying shrubs

• Holly, berries in winter, evergreen shelter
• Hawthorn, berries in autumn, nesting sites
• Rowan, berries in late summer, autumn colour
• Pyracantha, berries for months, thorny shelter
• Cotoneaster, berries from autumn to winter
• Berberis, berries and thorny shelter
• Guelder rose, native, berries in autumn

Seed plants

• Sunflowers, seeds for finches in autumn
• Teasel, seeds for goldfinches in winter
• Thistle, seeds for goldfinches (if you can tolerate it)
• Cornflower, seeds for small birds
• Phlox, seeds for finches

Shelter plants

• Ivy, evergreen shelter for nesting birds
• Holly, dense evergreen shelter
• Hawthorn, thorny nesting sites
• Privet, dense evergreen hedge

Best Plants for Other Wildlife

• Ivy, late nectar, winter berries, habitat for insects and birds
• Honeysuckle, moths, berries, nesting sites for dormice
• Primrose, early nectar for bees, food for primrose moth caterpillars
• Nettle, food for butterfly caterpillars (peacock, small tortoiseshell, red admiral)
• Native grasses, food for moth caterpillars, seeds for birds

Plants to Avoid

Some plants offer little or nothing to wildlife:

• Double flowers: no nectar or pollen (e.g. double roses, double dahlias)
• Highly bred cultivars: often have no scent or nectar
• Annual bedding: short flowering period, no value to wildlife
• Invasive species: rhododendron ponticum, snowberry, three-cornered leek

How to Design a Wildlife Border

1. Choose a sunny spot, bees and butterflies prefer sun
2. Plant in drifts of 3, 5 or 7, easier for pollinators to find
3. Mix flower shapes, tubular (for long-tongued bees), flat (for butterflies), composite (for short-tongued bees)
4. Plan for year-round flowering, spring bulbs, summer perennials, autumn sedum and ivy
5. Include evergreens for winter shelter
6. Add water, even a bird bath makes a difference
7. Leave seed heads in autumn for birds

Common Mistakes

• Planting only non-native plants. Native plants support more wildlife. Mix native and non-native for the best results.
• Using double flowers. Double flowers have no nectar or pollen. Choose single flowers instead.
• Tidying up too much in autumn. Seed heads and leaf piles are winter habitat. Leave them until spring.
• Not having water. Even a small pond or bird bath is essential for wildlife.
• Using pesticides. Pesticides kill beneficial insects as well as pests. Use organic methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best single plant for wildlife?

Lavender. It flowers for months, bees love it, butterflies visit it, and it is evergreen. Plant a swathe of lavender and you will have wildlife all summer.

Are native plants better for wildlife than non-native?

Native plants generally support more species, but non-native plants can also be valuable (e.g. buddleja for butterflies). A mix is best.

How do I attract butterflies to my garden?

Plant buddleja, verbena bonariensis and sedum. Provide a sunny, sheltered spot. Avoid pesticides. Leave a nettle patch for caterpillars.

Get Help with Wildlife Planting

If you want to plant for wildlife in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire or Bedfordshire, send us a WhatsApp with photos and we will aim to respond within 12 to 36 hours, Monday to Sunday.

Further Reading

• A wildlife-friendly garden without looking messy
• Creating a pollinator paradise
• Balancing tidy and biodiverse

Sources and citations

This article draws on the following sources. Specific claims are cited inline where relevant.

1. CGM field records (2025-01. Site observations from gardens across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Bedfordshire.
2. Royal Horticultural Society (2024). RHS Gardening Advice and Plant Finder. Available at rhs.org.uk.
3. Met Office (2024). Regional climate averages, South East England. Available at metoffice.gov.uk.
4. British Geological Survey (2024). Soil parent material data for the Chilterns and Thames Valley. Available at bgs.ac.uk.