How to Turn a Neglected Corner Into a Wildlife Area

Why Neglected Corners Are an Opportunity

Every garden has a neglected corner. The bottom of the garden, behind the shed, the bit you never use. Most people try to tidy it up, but the better option is to embrace it as a wildlife area. A neglected corner is already partway to being a wildlife haven. With a bit of work, it can become the most valuable part of the garden for wildlife.

In the Chilterns, where gardens often back onto countryside, a wildlife corner can act as a bridge between the garden and the wider landscape. The more wildlife corners there are, the more connected the landscape becomes. This guide explains how to turn a neglected corner into a wildlife area.

The 6-Step Process

Step 1: Clear the Neglected Corner

Before you can create a wildlife area, you need to clear the rubbish and brambles. Remove:

• All rubbish and debris
• Brambles (dig out the root crowns)
• Self-seeded trees (sycamore, ash, birch)
• Old fences and structures

Keep any mature trees and shrubs that are worth keeping. See our clearance service.

Step 2: Plant a Native Hedge

Plant a native hedge around the corner to define the area and provide habitat. Use:

• Hawthorn, 50 percent of the hedge
• Blackthorn, 25 percent
• Hazel, 15 percent
• Holly, 10 percent

Plant bare-root in winter (November to March), 5 to 7 per metre in a double staggered row. Cost: 200 to 400 pounds for a 10 metre hedge. See our hedging guide.

Step 3: Add a Pond

A pond is the single best wildlife feature. Even a small pond (1 to 2 sqm) attracts frogs, newts, dragonflies and birds within weeks. Build the pond with:

• A shallow edge (for wildlife to get in and out)
• A deeper centre (60 to 80cm, for overwintering)
• Native plants (water lily, iris, marsh marigold)
• No fish (they eat the wildlife)

Cost: 200 to 600 pounds for a small wildlife pond. See our pond maintenance guide.

Step 4: Add a Log Pile and Leaf Pile

Log piles and leaf piles provide habitat for beetles, frogs, slowworms and hedgehogs. Build them in a partly shaded corner.

• Log pile: stack logs of different sizes, partly buried
• Leaf pile: pile autumn leaves in a corner, leave for 1 to 2 years
• Stone pile: for reptiles and amphibians

Step 5: Sow Wildflowers

Sow wildflowers in the sunniest part of the corner. Use a native wildflower mix suited to your soil (chalk or clay). See our wildflower guide.

• Reduce soil fertility first
• Sow in autumn or spring
• Cut once a year in late summer
• Remove the cuttings

Cost: 50 to 150 pounds for seed for a 20 sqm area.

Step 6: Leave a Patch of Long Grass

Leave a patch of long grass for ground-nesting bees and butterflies. Mow paths through it so it looks intentional. Cut once a year in late summer.

What to Plant in a Wildlife Corner

Native shrubs

• Hawthorn
• Blackthorn
• Hazel
• Holly
• Dogwood
• Spindle

Nectar plants

• Foxglove
• Ox-eye daisy
• Knapweed
• Scabious
• Primrose

Berry plants

• Pyracantha
• Cotoneaster
• Guelder rose

Pond plants

• Water lily
• Iris
• Marsh marigold
• Water forget-me-not

How to Make the Wildlife Corner Look Intentional

A common complaint about wildlife corners is that they look messy. To make the corner look intentional:

• Mow paths through the long grass
• Define the edges with a mown strip or edging
• Add a feature like a bench, sculpture, or bird bath
• Frame it with a hedge
• Add a sign like "Wildlife Area" or "Wildflower Meadow"

The Cost of Creating a Wildlife Corner

Common Mistakes

• Not clearing the area first. Brambles and rubbish will smother any new planting. Clear first.
• Not planting a hedge. A hedge defines the area and provides habitat. Plant one around the corner.
• Not adding water. A pond is the single best wildlife feature. Even a small one makes a big difference.
• Using non-native plants. Native plants support more wildlife. Choose native species.
• Not making it look intentional. A wildlife corner without mown paths looks abandoned. Mow paths to show it is deliberate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a wildlife corner to establish?

1 to 3 years. The first year looks untidy, the second year looks promising, and by the third year it should be a thriving wildlife haven.

Will a wildlife corner attract rats?

Not usually. Rats are attracted by food waste, not wildlife planting. Keep compost heaps rodent-proof and do not leave food out.

Can I have a wildlife corner in a small garden?

Yes. Even a 5 sqm corner can support a surprising amount of wildlife. Plant a small hedge, add a tiny pond, and leave a patch of long grass.

Get Help Creating a Wildlife Corner

If you want to turn a neglected corner into a wildlife area 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

• Should you leave part of your garden wild?
• Creating a wildflower area
• 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 (2024-03. 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.