Wildflower Gardens

18th of June, 2021

The Parish Council has planted out the wildflower garden alongside the brook on the Lower Holme again this year and has also created a wildflower garden near the Milking Parlour.

Apart from being so attractive with a random collection of colours and scents for us to enjoy, wildflowers are important as they attract pollinators. Bees and butterflies especially will find a diverse assortment of pollen amongst the many species that can grow in a wildflower garden.

Wildflower gardens will grow in nearly any type of soil - leave it to nature and worms will come in and restore the land as it becomes less and less disturbed. Wildflowers are beneficial in raising air quality as they remove pollutants from the air. They also remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere which is an important factor in climate change.

We will also be creating three small flower beds - on Pendle Street East, around the Christmas tree near the Bowling Club and on Whalley Road on the grassed area near the telephone box. These beds will be planted with bee friendly plants.

Both the bee and butterfly populations are sadly in decline and we should all be aware of this and help to provide little wildlife havens where we can. Winged insects such as bees, moths, beetles, hoverflies and butterflies are all essential pollinators.

Even the smallest of gardens can offer a huge variety of different habitats for wildlife.

Put out different bird feeders. Always offer a supply of clean water for drinking and somewhere for them to bathe. Put up a nest box and use climbing plants against walls which will offer shelter
Numbers of many butterflies are declining. Make them welcome to your garden by planting buddleia, wallflowers etc. Butterflies need breeding sites and growing the right plants can give them a place to breed and lay their eggs.
Areas of un-cut long grass are an important habitat for all sorts of insects and minibeasts. Let dandelions and clover grow in a small patch of your lawn - overly manicured lawns leave little space for wildlife
Trees and hedges offer roosting and nesting sites for birds and small mammals plus shelter from the elements and possible predators.
Ponds and water features can offer habitat for a huge variety of animal life and birds will use to drink or bathe.
One simple pile of logs can quickly become a flourishing wildlife community and support a wide range of wildlife. Alternatively, build a bug hotel
Bees are under assault from pesticides, intensive farming and climate change. By creating bee friendly spaces we can start to replace and restore some of their lost habitat. Choose single, open flowers so bees can access nectar and pollen. Bees see purple more clearly than any other colour e.g. lavender, alliums, buddleia. They also like tubular shaped flowers such as foxgloves, honeysuckle, penstemons. Make a bee hotel
Building a hedgehog home will provide somewhere to shelter, to hibernate or to raise hoglets.
Building a bat box will give these night-time creatures somewhere safe to roost, raise their pups and sleep during the day.

When you are gardening think sustainably and consider the environment.

Avoid peat which destroys natural habitats.

Use rainwater rather than tap water.

Recycle where possible using old materials when building raised beds and other structures.

Avoid using pesticides.

For much more information check out the following websites: www.rspb.org.uk and www.woodlandtrust.org.uk