IN THE GARDEN
While many are familiar to us, appearing in vast numbers throughout the UK, others occur in small numbers in isolated populations and niche habitats. In 2025, the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland listed 434 of the 1,720 native plant species as threatened. How can gardeners help? Native plants needn’t be limited to their natural range, and often make charming additions to our gardens. They also help support the ecosystem by providing a food source for large mammals, birds and pollinators, as well as a habitat for sheltering wildlife. While the familiar nettle may not be at the top of every gardener’s desired plant list, it provides a valuable food source to more than 100 invertebrates, including red admiral and comma butterflies, and garden tiger and buff ermine moths that feed on the nectar. The caterpillars of these invertebrates may also feed on the leaves of the stinging nettle, and birds such as reed buntings and siskins eat the seeds. There are many more attractive native plants that can easily be grown at home. Scarlet poppies and sky-blue cornflowers can be added to the garden by sprinkling seed in autumn or winter, to produce a vibrant splash of colour in summer. Primroses ( Primula vulgaris ) and cowslips can be added to a sunny border or lawn to provide spring colour. Some, such as the pasque flower, are more discerning, requiring chalky soils and an open site. Foxgloves ( Digitalis purpurea ), wood anemone and creeping bugle ( Ajuga reptans ) will happily grow in shady gardens. English yew ( Taxus baccata ) is a great choice for a formal, evergreen hedge. If you have space for a sprawling boundary treatment, a mixed native hedge of
GARDEN VARIETY Native plants come in many shapes from the English yew ( Taxus baccata , top) to, as pictured below left to right, the bird cherry ( Prunus padus ), bluebells ( Hyacinthoides non-scripta ) and cowslips ( Primula veris )
78 JUNE 2026 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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