With advice about helping wildlife, it becomes a bit confusing knowing what you are supposed to do in the garden when you just want to tidy up! Here are a few thoughts from a wildlife gardener and designer.
Continue to deadhead flower heads, you’ll be amazed at how some plants will keep giving – for example repeat flowering roses and penstemons. But if the plant looks like it might look good over winter, leave those flower heads for birds and winter interest, e.g. Rudbeckia can have smart black heads, especially contrasted with grasses.
You need to work with your own personal aesthetic; you need to feel good about your garden – looking too untidy for you? Clear leaves off paths and paving but see if you can leave some between the plants. Take some secateurs, use your eyes (not rules) to decide how to improve the shape of died back plants rather than just floor them!
Another way is to have one or two very visible areas that are super tidy, and have the rest left to its own devices.
If you must cut things down, have a hidden open compost heap for your cuttings, or make little hidden piles behind other plants – this helps wildlife – some sticks, some leaves, some stalks – these make homes as well as the famous wood pile!
If you are someone who can tolerate untidiness, then great – this is the perfect excuse to leave it until spring!
Sarah Ashworth, Garden Designer, wildlife specialist.
sarahashworth.co.uk #sarahashworthgarden
