What are the shared characteristics of wildlife friendly plants? Planting schemes for wildlife.

First of all, what do we mean by wildlife friendly plants and planting schemes for wildlife? What characteristics do these plants share? How do they look, what are their growth habits?

By “Wildlife Friendly planting” we really mean;
Food and cover producing plants.Through using these plants we can increase biodiversity and build stability of ecosystems. So, plants for birds and wildlife, with shelter providing plants for birds and wildlife...Plus plants for food for bees and invertebrates plus food for butterflies and invertebrates all help to attract wildlife.

Fab Food! - but what does that mean for a bird?
Berries and fruit, very attractive to birds and a favourite food.
Native species shrub and tree are of course suited to local soil conditions; this means that they will grow fruit best, so do choose native plants when possible.

Topical tip!...Have a look at landvision's previous Landvision blog on planting for butterflies and moths..:)

So, what are (some of) the best berry-bearing trees?

Shrubs that offer food include;
Pyracantha in variety- this has masses of white flowers in May- June then, masses of lovely bright orange, red or yellow berries in the winter.
Ribes odoratum- Buffalo currant- forms thickets of upright stems which birds love for cover, masses of bright yellow spicily fragrant flowers and black currants for birds. Fab autumn colour!
Sambucus nigra – Elderberry- has flowers, fruit and provide cover for birds, dense branches.
Viburnum lantana – Wayfaring tree- flowers, berries and cover for wildlife.
Viburnum opulus- Guelder rose- flowers, berries and cover for birds.

So, all these plants share a common feature; densely branched growth, with ample opportunity for birds to take shelter/ perch as well as to feed. Their berries are borne in masses, often highly coloured; thus being also attractive in planting schemes and by attracting wildlife they are arguably bringing another much more important dimension into your garden and properties. One of tranquility? Bird song is a way of introducing peace and character into space; it can even, in Spring, drown out some of the sounds of traffic in highly populated and densely developed areas!

Another great species?

Crataegus species- Hawthorn. These flower and bear berries after 5 years. If allowed to set berries they will attract a wide variety of birds and wildlife including song birds such as Thrushes.
Hedges which contain hawthorn, if left to flower and bear berries every 2- 3 years will help the hedges to increase in wildlife value and attract more and more wildlife! So, don't be too tidy and don't cut back hedges until late January every year; if you can just leave them a little longer they should bear berries for birds and much more valuable habitat for wildlife as a result.

What about food for bees?

Flowers which attract bees are borne on;
Field Maple (Acer campestre)
Birch (Betula in variety)
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
Crab Apple and wild apple (Malus in variety)
Pear (Pyrus communis in variety)
White beam (Sorbus aria and forms)
Mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia and forms)
Many of these trees bear fruit as well as distinctive flowers which are attractive to bees as well as being visually pleasing to us humans.

So why are these plants so attractive to bees?
Flowers of birch give pollen only, and this is very important to bees as it occurs early in the year. Other species are visited by bees for both pollen and nectar. Bees work single rather than double flowers, so bear this in mind.
If in doubt, visit our website and log in to send us an email question.
charmaine@landvision.co.uk

The main thing to remember is that, although surplus honey will not be produced unless a large area is planted with nectar bearing plants, even a few plants will help to attract bees. These bees will pollinate and thus help to increase yields of fruit and vegetables in gardens. So these plants are vital to food producers and us consumers as well as to other wildlife.

What about adding some plants for butterflies as well as for bees?
Some favourite plants of butterflies which bees also love include;
Butterfly bush (Buddleia in variety)
Lavender (Lavandula in variety)
Cotoneaster species, provide flowers (and later on the birds like their beautiful red berries)
Privet (Ligustrum vulgare)- great for flowers and for berries and cover for nesting birds.

Perennial plants for butterflies;
Michaelmas daisy (Aster in variety)
Ice plant (Sedum specatbile)
Golden rod (Solidago in variety)
Yarrow (Achillea in variety)

What characteristics do these plants share? Just why are they so attractive to bees and butterflies?
Many are brightly coloured, for instance the golden/orange Yarrow (Achillea varieties) and those of the tall,orange flowered Golden rod. They have umbellifer heads of flowers clustered and attractive to insects. Solidago species are particularly good for attracting insects into your garden as bees and insects are attracted to yellow flowers. Many of these plants which are attractive to butterflies are other bright colours like red or muted shades like mauve, but as some are late flowering perennial plants; Sedum spectabile and Michaelmas daisy (Aster species) they appear at a time when other food sources are not so readily available for wildlife. They are also invaluable to the Wildlife gardener as a late source of visual interest in the autumn border, bringing much needed colour from August to October.

If you have an ecology question or query on wildlife plants
contact us for friendly and expert advice;
email; charmaine @landvision.co.uk
Tel; 01892 782200
Or, visit our website for testimonials and to see just a few habitats which we have created; www.landvision.co.uk

Breeam and The Code for Sustainable Homes, Landvision provide expert ecological input; Landvision can answer all your ecology and land use questions .

Questions we are often asked...
Can you obtain extra eco credits for us in Breeam and CSH (The Code for Sustainable Homes)Ecology and Land Use sections. How do we go about doing a Breeam assessment for Ecology and Land Use?
You need to use a Suitably qualified ecologist, such as Landvision, to undertake a site specific, ecology survey and for us to write you an Breeam ecology and CSH ecology report. These will enable you to gain more eco credits for your development; when you follow our specialist advice on ecology for your site. For more information on how we can help you email us at; charmaine@landvision.co.uk

Landvision provide expert ecologist and environmental design input into Breeam and The Code for Sustainable Homes.

What is Breeam and CSH? Landvision are expert ecologists with over 25 years professional training and experience in ecology and environmental design. Breeam and The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) are new environmental assessment standards. They have been set up to ensure that specialist ecological input is put into all new home building and other new building projects.

Breeam and CSH both aim to ensure that each new development works towards a healthy ecological and balanced landscape environment, for our children and grand children.

Do you have a new building project that we can help you with? Do you know what Breeam is and how Landvision's team of ecologists and environmental design consultants can help on your project?

Breeam is now the most widely used assessment method for buildings. Breeam has become the standard for best practice in sustainable development and is part of The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH). So what does undertaking a Breeam entail?

Breeam is now widely used as a shorthand way of summing up a building's environmental performance. It was devised by the BRE Trust of companies, a body set up to advise on delivering sustainability and innovation in the built environment and society. The Landscape and ecology section in Breeam ; how Landvision can help you to obtain maximum credits....
With 25 years experience as qualified ecologists, as well as members of both The Institute of Ecology & Environmental management (IEEM), and as Chartered Member of The Landscape Institute (1993), the Professional bodies of Ecology and Landscape Architecture, Landvision are specialist experts on landscape and ecology. We act as expert advisers on Breeam;Landscape and Ecology. Breeam deals with the need to assess, to protect and to enhance each development site's landscape, ecology and biodiversity.

Landvision undertakes detailed Breeam assessments for Landscape and Ecology to maximise Eco credits and comply with The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) producing Breeam Ecological Assessments and reports.

If you need an expert ecologist/landscape architect for Breeam, Landvision can help as your expert environmental design advisers.

We provide ecological input and expertise. As expert ecologists as well as landscape architects, we use our unique experience to produce your bespoke Breeam reports. Your ecology report will review the many ways for you to maximise opportunities to achieve your site's full ecological potential. This may be through a series of recommended enhancement and mitigation measures. These may be implemented over time. Your Breeam Landscape and ecology report will review ways of obtaining a sustainable approach to your new development, to comply with the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH.)

Ecological design is Good practice.
A holistic approach is adopted by Landvision;the Code (CSH) and Breeam are developed together on each site. Each site is unique, with a bespoke ecological report produced that will ensure that the ecology and wildlife is conserved and improved.

Sustainability aims of Breeam.
Your Breeam assessment works to strengthen sustainability and through ecological mitigation and enhancement, the long term ecological health of your site and adjacent area will also be improved.

Conservation.
The site's ecological value will be conserved and enhanced through Breeam; a tool used by your ecologist to obtain a sustainable, ecological, detailed, site specific assessment with an enhancement programe often forming part of your site's Breeam.

Guaranteed enhancement of ecological value of site.
Landvision's imaginative and focused team will work hard to maximise opportunities for your Breeam assessment to achieve maximum eco credits.

This will help us all in turn to leave a more species diverse, more robust and healthier ecological future for our children and grand children to inherit.

To find out how we can help you with your Breeam so that your development complies with The Code for Sustainable Homes(CSH) or for any information about Breeam/CSH; ring Charmaine at Landvision; 01892 782200

New White Paper on Shaping England awaits your comments...Visit http://ww2.de fra.gov.uk/our-responsibilities/nat-environment/

The new White Paper on Shaping the Natural Environment in England awaits your comments.

What matters to you most? Are you running a small business, or are you a commuter?
Do you live in a suburban area? Is the protection of the rural fringe important to you?
Would you like to see more trees planted in your local park? More biodiversity and wildlife protection? Perhaps you would like to have greater access to the countryside near you?
Do you think that flood protection measures are sufficient in your area? Are SUDs being implemented and encouraged by your local authority?
Whatever your burning issue is regarding the environment, whatever your landscape needs and ideas, the government would like to hear from you! So, follow the link above and have your say today...
the New White Paper awaits your comments...

http://ww2.de fra.gov.uk/our-responsibilities/nat-environment/

Does size matter?

Planting large trees.

When it comes to it, why are small trees being planted when large trees are better for the long term?

Tree planting - As landscape architects, designers and tree experts, we are asked to design new planting schemes for parks and recreation, street planting and new housing developments. Where we can, we will try to plant large trees. On looking around us the choice of tree species usually used by others is poor. Why is this?

Why use a small tree such as a Sorbus aucuparia (Mountain Ash) in a public park when a large one such as a Quercus robur, (English Oak) or a Liquidambar styraciflua,a beautiful tree with stunning crimson colouring in autumn, would, when happily placed, suit the site so much better? Perhaps the people who have chosen the small trees have played safe because of a lack of understanding. On so many occasions, a larger tree would have been so much better, providing more shade and shelter; in the right place a large tree will not require continual tree pruning.

Right Tree - right place

London plane is a tree with one of the largest spreads of canopy. If planting London planes a large site is required, perhaps not the best everyday choice for a street tree? However, that is not so, they are a brilliant specimen street tree where space allows. Could they be used in the local supermarket car park? Why not? A large tree would give shade to cars parked underneath, would provide habitat, making car parks and shopping areas a much more pleasant place to be.

Tree planting tips.

Know your soil type and pH. Is it clay or sandy? Is it acid or neutral, or maybe even alkaline in pH?

Does your site have a micro climate such as a frost hollow, or is it exposed to high winds?

Size of the site; for a very small site, a small tree such as a rowan. However, for a large site, why not plant a large tree; this will become an important tree and a valuable landscape asset when mature.

If planting a tree, you need to know; how big the tree will be when mature, the useful life expectancy of the tree, other information, such as, does this tree drop branches? Are the roots of this species likely to cause problems with the drains? This all goes back to good tree selection.

The RHS site has a plant selector http://apps.rhs.org.uk/rhsplantselector/default.aspx This could help, or type the name on google; alternatively you can email us your tree enquiries to;
charmaine@landvision.co.uk or telephone us on (01892) 782200

Wadhurst Tennis Club Floodlighting Planning Application is successful due to help by Landvision Landscape plans and ecology report.

Wadhurst Tennis Club is successful in obtaining planning permission for floodlights at Wadhurst Tennis Club, Wadhurst Recreation Ground. Landvision helped to obtain this planning permission.

Landvision has recently helped to obtain planning permission for Wadhurst Tennis Club to install floodlights at their courts in Wadhurst Recreation Ground. Despite opposition from some nearby residents, Landvision's detailed planting plan has helped to set out and implement a landscape scheme at Wadhurst Rec Ground. Landvision also undertook a bat survey to support the planning application by Wadhurst Tennis Club. Thanks to this ecological work and to our landscape design plans, the whole community of Wadhurst can now enjoy walking and cycling to play tennis in the winter months and evenings, whereas previously they would have to travel miles to play on other courts.

The planning application was supported by detailed planting, designed and drawn up by our landscape architects which specified the planting of interesting and attractive trees with all year round interest, good autumn colour and blossom in spring. The trees and hedgerows now add species diversity and valuable wildlife interest to the areas around the tennis courts which were previously uninspiring grass banks and a flat area of grass.

The planning application was further supported by a bat survey by Landvision's ecologists which found that the proposed floodlighting would not affect bats. It is likely that further planting of trees and hedging that bats favour will also be undertaken as part of mitigation measures and in order to further enhance the area for wildlife.

The trees planted comprise;

Carpinus betulus Fastigiata- Fastigiate hornbeam- a tree which is well suited to the heavy clay soil and has lovely golden autumn foliage colour.

Other trees specified by Landvision's landscape planting for Wadhurst Tennis club include;

Malus "John Downie" – lovely Spring blossom and edible crab apples, great for bees.
Sorbus aucuparia – mountain ash, an atttractive native tree with feathery foliage and orange/red berries.
Ilex aquifolium – native holly, berries and evergreen cover for wildlife.

The hedging specified comprises;
Eleagnus x ebbingei, Euonymus japonicus, Ligustrum ovalifolium and Ilex aquifolium.

On the advice of Landvision's landscape managers, a regular programme of weed spraying and mulching has discouraged weed growth and assisted the much stronger growth and establishment of existing Fagus sylvatica (beech) hedging, which now reaches 2 metres high from a previous height of 1.2m high. The beech hedging gives all year round interest with bronze foliage retained in winter. The beech hedge has been supplemented by the planting design of additional holly, eleagnus and ligustrum hedges which now soften the court perimeters and add valuable all year round visual interest to the park.


Our landscape architects undertook the setting out of the planting schemes and contract managed the planting and maintenance of trees and hedges which was undertaken by specialist landscape contractors.

As a result of Landvision's landscape planning work, the community of Wadhurst and surrounding villages can now enjoy playing tennis all year round.

If you want to have your say, go to the Landvision Fan Page on face book;
Landvision Fan page
or add your comment below in the comments section.

How to save and to attract more butterflies in Butterfly Conservation Week.

How to save and attract more butterflies into your garden and land in Butterfly Conservation Week. This week is officially “Save our Butterflies week” 24th July- 1st August. So why not get involved?

I was listening to Mike Mullis, our local butterfly expert talking on Radio 4 this morning about our coppice woodlands in East Sussex, where they have successfully managed to conserve and protect populations of the rare Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterfly. They have managed this through captive breeding programmes and through re introduction of coppice woodland management. This has encouraged the growth of Dog Violet; the food plant of this rare butterfly. Mike has been involved in rearing Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterly larvae and re introducing them into the coppice woodlands, which is their preferred habitat. It is great news that his work is being so successful.

If you like butterflies, why not create an area in your garden for them to thrive? A sunny sheltered spot is ideal and remember to provide lots of their food plants for the butterfly larvae as well as lots of plants rich in nectar for the butterflies later. (see our previous blogs) or, email us with your inquiries at charmaine@landvision.co.uk and we will advise you.

Why not start visiting some butterfly habitats near you and try to spot some new butterflies?
If you spend 15 minutes in a sunny spot in your garden or local park, just watching and counting butterflies, you will learn which ones occur locally and also what their preferred habitats are.

You can try to encourage butterflies into your gardens and land, through small changes in planting and by sensitive landscape management with butterflies in mind. These changes to habitat management,by re introducing coppicing cycles into your small woodlands and by adding sunny,sheltered woodland rides and glades on your land, will really boost your local butterfly population. Why not start by leaving rougher areas of tall herbs/ long grass at the base of your hedges or by creating new areas of wildflower meadow grassland which will also encourage a much greater variety of butterflies on your land?

Butterfly Conservation week runs from 24th July - 1st August 2010. At a time when 7 out of 10 butterflies are in decline, this is an excellent time to start getting involved.