Untidy gardens 'ideal' for wildlife

Eco-friendly gardeners hoping to attract some wildlife into their backyards should let the grass grow and leave the hedges unclipped.

That is according to the Independent, which suggested that slightly unkempt gardens make the ideal habitats for a diverse mix of flora and fauna.

The newspaper explained that studies of wildlife in rural and urban gardens revealed that they can serve as a "vital refuge" for both animals and plants if they are not kept too tidy.

Sheffield University's Dr Ken Thompson told the publication that UK gardens provide an alternative home to countless species that are struggling to survive on intensely farmed land.

He was quoted as saying: "Gardens are amazingly diverse even compared to natural habitats that are good for wildlife.

"Gardens are more interesting on a small scale because they are so variable. All the wildlife responds to these variables."

Last month, meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph claimed that tidying topiary and removing annual plants once they have finished flowering can help keep gardens from looking tired in August.

Related Stories

More wildlife sightings reported in urban gardens

Toads an alternative to gardening pesticides

Hampshire construction stopped over wildlife concerns

Some wildlife species 'need farmland to thrive'

Rabbits can be kept away humanely, gardeners advised