will wrote in message
...
Thanks to v. helpful respondents so far

It's a front garden facing east, so will get some morning sun. Also the
crown of the tree has been lifted so it's not completely overwhelming. But
yes, I need ideas for dry shade.

I am also keen to encourage other wildlife (my equally small but sunny
back
garden will be planted for bees and butterflies - tips also welcome here).
So yes, I will have a log pile and perhaps a 'creature tower' made from
left
over building materials (I am currently building the house). There will be
a
2nd floor balcony opening into the crown of the tree - a good place I
guess
for feeders - or would these be better at ground level?

I like the look of a leycesteria, and would love to have blackbirds
visiting. But will this thirve in the dry shade? Likewise with the hebes?
What other bushes do birds like to sit in that will cope with these
conditions?

thanks

will


Hi Will,

I'm making similar provision in my garden for birds and other wildlife, and
I love the sound of your creature tower. I've been planning one, too.

I hate to be negative about your 2nd flr balcony opening into the sycamore
crown; I love the idea in principle but, unfortunately, so will the local
burglar! Do build in some sort of security. A good idea (if the budget
will allow) is to install a camera or two. Apart from gaining some
exciting wildlife footage, the police will be very interested in any footage
if you are burgled. (I truly hope you're not).

In my garden, the following are successful plants:
Pyracantha: Bees and insects love the flowers; birds love the berries,
and the secure nesting site. Alternative food plant for Holly Blue
butterfly.
Mahonia: Early bees visit the flowers; tits also visit the flowers
to take nectar (yes, really!) and the subsequent berries.
Hawthorn: Very good all round provider for insects and birds.
Buddleia: Good for butterflies, bees and hoverflies. Presumably, also
good for bird seed, judging by the number of freebie shrubs everywhere!
Rowan: Good all rounder, but probably too big for your site.
Malus: ............. ditto ...............
Ivy: (I think you've listed this) Food plant of the Holly Blue
butterfly. Flowers good for bees and insects. Berries great for birds.
Holly: ................
ditto ........................
Elderberry: Good all rounder.

Good shade plants a
Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) - bees love these.
Forget-me-nots - for bees and many insects.
Primroses (Primula vulgaris) - ........ ditto ...... .. so do early
insects.
Pulmonaria (any) - bee plant.
Heucheras - tiny flowers, but bees adore them.
Aquilegias, for sun or shade - bees and other insects are attracted.
Honesty - for bees and butterflies, esp. Orange Tip and other 'whites'.

In your sunny, back garden:
Heleniums - mine are always smothered in bees and hoverflies.
Rudbeckia - ............... ditto .................
Marjoram - great insect and bee plant. Good for butterflies (mine attracts
the Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown)
Lavender - flowers for bees, seeds for birds (esp. goldfinch)
Linaria - usually bee and hoverfly 'infested'
Penstemmon - bees love these, as their flowering season takes over from
foxgloves.

Good luck with the garden and building project.
Spider