Seasonal Shrubs For Wildlife
For many, November and December is a time to enjoy the garden from the comfort of your home, but there are still jobs you can do to ensure your wildlife survives the winter
Even in the smallest garden it is possible to provide food, water and shelter from bad weather for common garden birds. If you have a balcony or small patio make sure hanging feeders are topped up. Birds will start to venture closer to the house as food supplies run out. In colder weather, cut a branch from a conifer and lay it on the ground to make an ‘umbrella’ that keeps an area free from frost and allows birds to find insects.
As much as you may like to, it is not a good time to remove or severely prune evergreens or shrubs with berries or hips as these provide more than just food for birds and mammals. Insects, including ladybirds, take cover in dense conifers which are also populated by smaller birds such as wrens for roosting on cold nights. So before you start any major winter garden activities take into account the disturbance to wildlife it may cause.
However, if you have evergreens and shrubs in your garden then you can make natural seasonal decorations for free by gathering your own greenery. Simply cut some berries and foliage to use in arrangements, door wreaths and banister swags. Prepare cut stems by putting them straight into a bucket of water at room temperature for a couple of hours then cut them all again and crush the ends before giving them another soak in fresh water. Harvest whole cotoneaster branches or springs of berries to wire into wreaths but watch out for thorns if using pyracantha with its prolific berries ranging from pale yellow through to rich red. Holly berries with foliage provide the best effect in festive arrangements and can be coupled with shrubby shoots of ivy for a classic display.
Once you’ve taken your pick for seasonal decorations, you can always increase your stock for the coming years by taking some hardwood cuttings – one of the top jobs for gardeners this month. Other jobs include checking insultation on outdoor taps and preventing ponds from freezing. If your pond is stocked with fish and it does freeze over, melt the ice by placing a hot pan on the surface, or install a pond heater or water feature.
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY:
The smell of a winter spruce, the warming taste of a spiced mulled wine and a seasonal wreath hanging from the front door – there’s no doubt the festive season is upon us. This may be the darkest month, but it won’t be long before the days begin to unfurl, lighting the way to spring. For many of us, it’s a time to reflect on the year’s gardening successes and failures as well as thinking about what we’ll do differently next season.
Country Living
