With the summer months fast-approaching, it is time to think about how you’re planning to organise your garden. Planting flowers, weeding garden beds and investing in planter boxes are perfect examples of how to prepare for the warmer months and are a fantastic way of injecting personality into your outdoor space. Often gardens are left neglected, however, with a little bit of time and effort, you can transform them into an area that you look forward to spending time in.

Your garden is a space that you should treasure. However, you shouldn’t be the only ones who do! Various wildlife thrives in conditions that can be easily created by incorporating individual plants and flowers into the available locations, such as plant pots and garden beds. This summer, discover how you can make a haven for the birds, the butterflies and the bees!

Trees
Trees create the perfect habitat for a variety of different animals thanks to their tall stature and thick branches which can take the weight of various creatures such as birds and squirrels. Not only do the larger animals love having access to trees in a garden, but during the warmer spring months, their nectar can be devoured by smaller insects.

Of course, if you’re planning on planting trees, you will have to be prepared for several summer seasons to pass before you begin to see animals flocking to its branches due to them taking time to grow. Also, you will need to have plenty of space to allow the roots to take to the ground. Some of the best varieties to be grown in the garden include the Elder and Blackthorn, both of which have berries which can provide nectar for birds and mammals.

Tall flowers
If there’s one insect that is synonymous with summer, it would be the butterfly. For those of you who are looking to attract some to your outdoor space, then long grass is the best option for you; however, it can sometimes be unsightly and ruin the overall appearance of your garden. Tall flowers are a perfect alternative. Not only do tall flowers attract butterflies, but dragonflies and bees are also fans of these plants. Lavender and foxglove both have scents that are attractive to these wildlife creatures, but keep in mind that if you have pets that foxglove can be poisonous to them.

Wall climbers
Not only are wall climbers an attractive solution for covering unsightly fence panels, but they also provide foliage that can attract a number of different insects and creatures. Investing in wall climbers are wonderful if your garden is limited on space, but also has areas that you would like to boost the aesthetic of. Additionally, investing in strongly-scented plants that have a noticeable depth means that animals can make their home within the structure. Honeysuckle can create the perfect home for nesting birds, with their flowers coming in a variety of different colours and the thick leaves of ivy provide a sturdy backdrop for caterpillars and hibernating insects to nest in.

Water features
Is there anything better than watching the sun reflect off the glistening water of a garden pond? Although the planning of a pond takes a little more time than investing in some planter boxes, they welcome a plethora of new creatures to your home. Although the larger the garden, the more animals you’re likely to attract, water features such as bird baths are the perfect option if you have limited room.

If you’re considering having a pond in a patio or courtyard garden, water features in a container work wonders. After the applicable draining process has been completed, it is likely that you will be able to find anything from frogs and newts to water beetles and mayflies surrounding the area. If you’re fortunate enough to have a larger area for a pond, the addition of plants growing in the water means that more wildlife can thrive in the space.

 Highly-pollinated flowers
One of the easiest ways to attract insects to your garden is by using highly-pollinated flowers. Using a planter box, create the perfect home for your Dahlia’s and Cosmo’s, both of which have incredible scents, and watch the bees flock to them!