If you love to see wildlife in your garden, a visit to RHS Flower Show Cardiff will get you buzzing with great ideas. One of the themes at RHS Flower Show Cardiff is supporting garden wildlife. Below are some of the exhibits to visit if you’d like to get your garden buzzing with life.
Up Cycle show garden by Wade & Nicol Landscapes
Andrew and Victoria are exhibiting their first ever show garden called ‘Up Cycle’. Fresh out of the University of Sheffield, they are setting up their own garden design business & see the RHS Cardiff Flower Show as their perfect starting place. Their garden has been designed to demonstrate creative ways of ‘up-cycling’! The native planting is designed to be low maintenance with high wildlife value. This garden is made almost entirely from waste materials and has been designed to demonstrate creative ways of up-cycling reclaimed and recycled materials.
Wet and WIld show garden by The Cardiff Ranger Service
Cardiff Council’s Ranger service garden titled ‘Wet & Wild’ highlights wetland habitats and their biodiversity found in Cardiff and the surrounding area. There will be naturalised native wetland planting to replicate this, with height created by shrubs, trees and reeds. Other natural features such as logs and stones add focal interest, and the border is being created from recycled sleepers. There will also be interactive activities, arts and crafts themed around wetlands in the adjacent marquee.
The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales garden
Many Wildlife Trust members live in Cardiff and Swansea and have small terraced gardens – this show garden will create a small, urban wildlife garden, demonstrating how to make outdoor spaces more wildlife friendly. Look out for bird boxes, willow butterflies, a nectar café, insect hotels and a bee hive.
Friends of the Earth – Learn & Grow area
Friends of the Earth are currently running a campaign for bees, which involves promoting bee-friendly gardens and flowers; encouraging people to build homes for bees; as well as activities, such as demonstrating how to make bee hotels. Literature will be available linking projects with schools and community groups.
The International Bee Research Association exhibit
The International Bee Research Association will be providing a variety of publications and advice on all aspects of apiculture and beekeeping, including appropriate plants for bees, identifying species and pollination.
RSPB Cymru exhibit
RSPB Cymru continues to have a presence at the show, promoting the work of the RSBP, offering information on the huge variety of wildlife within Wales and the best ways to protect it within your own garden. A team will be on hand to answer queries on wildlife-related topics.
Other floral exhibitors with wildlife-friendly themes:
1. Hooksgreen Herbs – Culinary, medicinal & scented herbs
2. Avon Bulbs – Spring flowering Bulbs
3. D’Arcy & Everest – Alpine & Sempervivum troughs – see a demonstration trough with plants that support wildlife.
4. Tale Valley – Alpine House & border, a wildlife haven!
From decorative, decaying wood – an ideal habitat for beetles, fungi and mosses – to a mini stone wall which is a good home for newts, frogs and toads to hide, see how even miniature areas can support everything from solitary bees to wasps, spiders and woodlice. The display will also contain a ladybird and lacewing box and in the Alpine house there will be a pile of old terracotta pots which is home to a robin’s nest.
Source: RHS – Visit our Cardiff Show for Great Wildlife Gardening Ideas
