We took my visitor along to hear a very detailed and thorough talk about factors to consider when planning a garden from the wild life point of view. So for all gardeners (roll of drums) here is a summary of last nights talk

The Ten Principles of Wildlife Garden Design  –

Given by Giggy at the Mendips Garden Club

19^th November 2025

Higgy’s “10 S-Principles” offer a comprehensive and practical framework for designing gardens that support wildlife while remaining enjoyable, attractive, and ecologically sound. Each principle reflects not only ecological understanding but decades of hands-on experience observing how real gardens function. Below is a greatly expanded version of the key points.

1. Situation and Surroundings

The first task in wildlife garden design is to understand the wider landscape in which the garden sits. Every garden is part of a much larger ecological system, and its setting determines what wildlife can realistically be attracted.

A garden in a dense town centre will inevitably support a different range of species than one on the fringe of woodland or near coastal marshes. Urban gardens may excel in attracting species adapted to fragmented habitats — sparrows, dunnocks, blackbirds, solitary bees — whereas rural gardens may naturally draw owls, bats, hedgehogs, and a far broader range of insects.

Higgy emphasises reading the landscape:

• What kinds of habitats surround the property?
• Are there woodland belts, hedgerows, rivers, lakes, or coastal areas nearby?
• Are there wildlife corridors such as connected hedge lines or tree belts?
• Are there barriers (roads, motorways) that restrict wildlife movement?

A key insight is that wildlife cannot cross large roads like the M5; gardens on one side will have entirely different species pools from those on the other. Google Earth is an invaluable tool here: studying aerial views reveals hedgerows, ponds, fields, and woodlands that are otherwise unseen from the ground.

This principle also includes visual surroundings. If you back onto open countryside, you can intentionally “borrow” the landscape to make the garden feel larger and more connected. Conversely, if your garden overlooks new housing, design must focus on screening and privacy.

2. Season, Sun, and Shade

Understanding how sunlight moves across the garden is essential for successful planting and for making the garden usable throughout the year.

Designer questions include:

• Where does the sun rise and set?
• Which areas get hot midday sun?
• Where are the deep-shade pockets?
• Where is the “breakfast sun,” “tea-time sun,” and “evening glow”?

These patterns shape nearly every design decision. Shade-loving plants will fail in full sun; ponds placed under intense midday light will suffer algae blooms; and desirable seating spots may be unusable if wrongly positioned.

Practical applications include:

• Placing benches where gentle morning or evening sun makes them appealing.
• Positioning ponds in partial shade with filtered light.
• Situating patios where the family naturally sits in summer.
• Planting trees strategically to cast cooling shade over areas that overheat.

This is one of the most neglected areas in amateur garden design, yet one of the most transformative when done well.

3. Shape and Size

Regardless of whether a garden is a large rural plot or a modest new-build rectangle, its shape dictates how to create movement, interest, and a sense of discovery.

Higgy stresses the journey — designing paths and sight-lines that lead visitors through the space rather than allowing them to see everything at once. This is as relevant to a courtyard as to an acre of land.

Examples:

• In a small garden, a boardwalk or curving gravel path creates depth and intrigue.
• In larger spaces, arches, trees, or planted screens break up long views and create destinations.
• Even a simple corner seat, partly hidden, encourages exploration.

This principle ensures that the garden feels larger, richer, and more rewarding.

4. Style and Design

A wildlife garden does not have to be wild or unkempt. It can be formal, contemporary, tropical, cottage-style, minimalist, or themed—whatever suits the owner.

What makes it a wildlife garden is not the style but the ecological components embedded within it:

• Pollinator plants
• Water sources
• Nesting habitats
• Shelter
• Year-round forage
• Structural diversity

A seaside-themed garden can still support wildlife through coastal-friendly plants and a small pond. A sleek modern garden can include pollinator borders, vertical planting, and water rills. The style is the canvas; wildlife features are layered into it.

5. Seating and Shelter

Gardens are meant to be lived in, not merely admired. Seating is essential for enjoying wildlife, contemplation, and rest. Higgy recommends placing seating among the plants to create immersive experiences.

Examples include:

• Benches nestled into hedges
• Decking that overlooks ponds
• Arbours and pergolas for shaded summer sitting
• Simple log benches tucked under trees
• Circles of boulders in a wildflower meadow
• Shelters to allow enjoyment in wet or cold weather

These spots serve different purposes: morning coffee, evening wine, family gatherings, or quiet moments of solitude.

Shelter structures (gazebos, covered pergolas, pods) extend the seasons during which the garden can be enjoyed.

6. Structure and Form

Structural elements shape the garden’s framework. These might be:

• Trellises
• Arches
• Screens
• Pergolas
• Hedges
• Walls
• Sculptures
• Raised beds
• Woodland-style hurdles

Structure provides rhythm and defines spaces, creating rooms within the garden. It also delivers privacy, supports climbers, and, crucially, offers wildlife habitat and movement corridors.

Children especially benefit from structured spaces: small dens, play tunnels, or stepping logs that blend into the garden and encourage exploration.

7. Soil, Seeds, and Planting

This is the heart of wildlife gardening: plant diversity equals wildlife diversity.

Key principles include:

• Use native and locally sourced species whenever possible.
• Choose plants based on local habitats identified in Principle 1.
• Mix perennials, grasses, shrubs, and trees to create varied structure.
• Pack borders densely to mimic natural meadows.
• Provide nectar from February to November by planting sequential flowering species.
• Include berry and fruiting shrubs to feed birds and insects.
• Don’t neglect the pond bed—native aquatic plants are essential for healthy water life.

Wildflowers and perennials can be combined to create richly textured, visually stunning borders that support butterflies, bees, hoverflies, beetles, and myriad moth species.

Hedges deserve special note: mixed native hedgerows provide food, shelter, nesting sites, and overwintering habitat for hundreds of species, including moths that require specific larval food plants.

8. Senses: Sight, Sound, and Smell

A wildlife garden should stimulate the senses—for both humans and wildlife.

Sight:

• Vibrant borders, seasonal foliage, layered planting, and dynamic movement draw the eye.
• Garden sculptures and focal points add interest.

Sound:

• Running water softens background noise from roads.
• Birdsong contributes to wellbeing.
• Rustling grasses create natural soundscapes.

Smell:

• Night-scented plants (evening primrose, honeysuckle, night-scented stock) attract nocturnal moths and enrich warm evenings.
• Herbs and aromatic shrubs contribute fragrance through the seasons.

Planting intentionally for sensory experience elevates the garden from functional to restorative.

9. Safety

Especially important for families or visiting children. Higgy stresses designing with:

• Safe access routes
• Soft surfaces under play equipment
• Ponds that are fenced, covered, or shallow if necessary
• Steps, decks, and edges that minimise risk
• Clear visual lines for supervision where children play
• Child-friendly areas such as dipping platforms for pond-watching

Safety does not preclude adventure; it simply ensures responsible enjoyment.

10. Sustainability

Sustainability underpins the entire design approach.

Higgy recommends:

• Reusing excavated soil, stones, and timber
• Keeping materials on site to reduce waste
• Using log piles, deadwood, and natural materials as habitat
• Avoiding peat and imported topsoil
• Repurposing old wheelbarrows, sinks, wood, and windows
• Using recycled stone for paths, ponds, and seating areas
• Designing with long-term maintenance and ecological impact in mind

Sustainability also means creating habitats that support wildlife populations across seasons and years — not merely adding decorative features.

Conclusion

Together, these ten principles form a holistic, practical system for developing wildlife-friendly gardens that are rich in biodiversity, beautiful year-round, and rooted in the real conditions of their surroundings. By considering situation, sunlight, structure, planting, senses, and sustainability, gardeners can create thriving ecosystems where humans and wildlife coexist harmoniously.