Are natives better than non natives for biodiversity?

Added on 24 January 2023

A four year Plants for Bugs project at RHS Wisley, using numerous trial beds between 2009 and 2013 aimed at identifying whether abundance and biodiversity of invertebrates is affected by the geographical origin of plants . It concluded that although there was a marginal preference towards natives it...

How does climate change effect my garden?

Added on 24 January 2023

In simple terms ecologists state that climate change is threatening the structure and services of habitat ecology both globally and on our door step, which includes our gardens. Structure tends to refer to the physical form of the planting which provides shelter, nesting materials etc, whilst it&rsq...

What is planting resilience, plant plasticity & structural diversity?

Added on 24 January 2023

Planting resilience: Individual species rarely flower throughout the growing season from early spring to late autumn. Depending on the species flowering may be days, weeks, months or perhaps two periods of flowering in a season. By selecting a number of species that flower at different times we hope...

Why are fertilisers (synthetic & organic) and pesticides not eco-friendly?

Added on 24 January 2023

The discussion on whether using synthetic fertilisers and pesticides (which includes herbicides, insecticides, fungicides etc) destroys long term soil structure and biodiversity continues amongst experts with little agreement. Agriculture has shown that fertilisers certainly increase crop yield (spe...