Wildlife-Friendly Gardening

A wildlife-friendly garden doesn’t have to look messy. With the right planting, gentle management, and a few smart habitat features, you can support birds, bees, butterflies and beneficial insects while keeping the garden tidy, healthy and enjoyable.

Project Garden offers practical wildlife-friendly gardening that works for real homes — from small changes that make a big difference, to full planting schemes that balance structure, seasonal interest and habitat value.

What we do

We help clients create gardens that support wildlife without sacrificing presentation:

Pollinator-friendly planting for bees, butterflies and hoverflies
Bird-friendly structure (hedging, shrubs, seed and berry sources)
Year-round interest with seasonal food and shelter
Wildlife-friendly maintenance (timing, technique and gentle approaches)
Meadow / long-grass areas (small or large, neat edges and paths)
Habitat features like log piles, leaf areas, and natural corners
Pond and water feature support (tidy planting and safe margins)
Hedge and shrub management with nesting and flowering in mind

We can work with what you already have or redesign areas to build a more nature-friendly garden from the ground up.

Popular wildlife-friendly projects

Pollinator Border Refresh

A simple change that brings colour and life into the garden.

Nectar-rich perennials and shrubs
Planting that flowers in succession
A designed look with repeat planting and structure

Wildlife-Friendly Tidy Garden Plan

For clients who want a tidy garden that’s still great for wildlife.

Structured planting with “quiet” habitat pockets
Seasonal maintenance that avoids unnecessary disturbance
Clean edges and a premium finish

Meadow Corner or Wild Patch

Perfect for increasing biodiversity without committing the whole garden.

Long-grass area or mini-meadow
Defined edges so it still looks intentional
Simple mowing/management plan

Winter Food & Shelter Focus

Small improvements that help wildlife through the hardest months.

Evergreen structure and shelter planting
Seed heads and berries retained where appropriate
Leaf and log habitat zones (kept tidy and safe)

Our approach

Wildlife-friendly gardening works best when it’s planned:

Garden visit & assessment – light, soil, existing habitat, and your preferences
Priorities – tidy vs natural areas, pets/children, how you use the space
Planting & habitat plan – what to add, what to keep, what to change
Installation & improvements – planting, reshaping, and finishing
Ongoing care – seasonal maintenance to keep it thriving

We focus on improvements that are realistic, manageable, and suited to your garden.

Wildlife-friendly maintenance (done properly)

Being “wildlife-friendly” often comes down to timing and technique. Depending on the season, this might include:

Leaving certain seed heads for birds and winter interest
Avoiding heavy cuts during peak nesting periods
Using targeted weeding and less disruptive methods
Keeping flowering shrubs in good shape for maximum blossom
Maintaining hedges and shrubs with wildlife value in mind
Managing meadows and long grass on a sensible schedule

If you’d like, we can combine this with regular garden maintenance so the garden stays consistently tidy and wildlife-friendly all year.

Who this is perfect for

Homeowners who want a beautiful garden with more birds and pollinators
Families who want a more nature-rich outdoor space
Clients who want low-chemical, gentle garden care
People who love wild gardens, but still want tidy edges and structure
Anyone wanting to improve biodiversity without a full redesign

Areas we cover

We provide wildlife-friendly gardening across Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire.

Not sure if you’re in range? Send us your postcode and we’ll confirm.

FAQs

Will a wildlife-friendly garden look untidy?
Not at all. A wildlife-friendly garden can be very smart — it’s about plant choice, structure, and managing certain areas differently.

Do you use pesticides or weedkillers?
We prioritise practical, lower-impact approaches where possible and can tailor the approach to your preferences and the needs of the garden.

Can you make a small garden wildlife-friendly?
Yes — even a few well-chosen plants and a small habitat area can make a noticeable difference.

Can I still have a neat lawn and borders?
Absolutely. Many clients keep a neat central lawn and introduce wildlife-friendly planting in borders, corners, and boundary areas.