Eco-friendly overhaul

There are lots of easy, enjoyable ways to be more eco-friendly in the garden in 2022. The result will be healthier plants and an abundance of wildlife

- Hazel Sillver

WHILE most of us would like to do more for the planet, the idea of eco-friendly gardening can sound tiresome. Not everyone wants to make their own compost, grow a green roof or create a rainwater-collection system. The good news is that – while those things are great for the environment, if you have the time, space and inclination to do them – there are lots of other easier ways to be greener.

Attract wildlife

The most enjoyable is to attract wildlife. As well as being a delight to watch, wildlife offers natural pest control. For instance, butterflies produce caterpillars that blue tits need to feed their young, and, in turn, the blue tits will pluck aphids and other pests off your plants. Create this win-win cycle by providing nectar-rich flowers (such as buddleja, marjoram and lavender) for butterflies, plus shrubs and climbers that offer shelter and berries for birds, including holly, ivy and honeysuckle.

Plants that resist diseases or pests

Another excuse to go shopping in the name of being more eco-friendly is the need to gradually bulk up the garden with plants that resist diseases or pests. Modern roses, such as Emily Brontë (‘Ausearnshaw’), are not as prone to sickness such as black spot; perennials (such as nepeta, cranesbill and geum) are generally diseasefree; and slugs ignore Mediterranean aromatics (including lavender and rosemary). Existing plants can be protected with companion planting. For example, put salvias (such as ‘Cerro Potosí’) next to roses to reduce disease.