Plants that Belong
What?
Choosing plants that fit the Isle of Wight’s landscape and climate brings both beauty and biodiversity benefits. Native species are vital for many insects, birds and mammals, but a thoughtful mix of native and non-invasive ornamental plants can provide colour, nectar, fruit and shelter across the seasons. The key is balance — supporting wildlife while celebrating each site’s unique character.
Where?
Everywhere: from gardens and schools to farms, business sites and public green spaces. Each part of the Island offers different growing conditions and opportunities:
Chalk grassland slopes: scabious, knapweed, oxeye daisy, bird’s-foot trefoil.
Coastal gardens: sea thrift, valerian, sea campion, and other salt-tolerant species.
Clay lowlands and damp sites: meadowsweet, purple loosestrife, and sedges.
Urban and village plots: flowering shrubs, climbers, herbs and window boxes that extend feeding opportunities for pollinators.
For site-specific actions, check out the Isle of Wight Habitat Map, and find out what is particularly special around your garden or space.
How?
Match plants to soils and sun. Observe where water gathers, which slopes are sunny or windy, and choose accordingly.
Avoid invasive species. Check the Non-native Species Secretariat (NNSS) list before buying or sharing plants.
Layer your planting. Combine trees, shrubs and ground flora to create vertical structure for birds, insects and mammals.
Choose long-season flowering. Mix early and late bloomers so nectar and pollen are available from spring to autumn.
Allow the seedbank to regenerate. Give native plants time to reappear once mowing and digging are reduced.
Be patient. Natural regeneration can take several years to look its best — early stages may seem sparse, but roots and soil life are establishing.
Avoid using only annuals. Bedding plants give brief colour but limited habitat; mix them with perennials, herbs and self-seeders for lasting value.
Leave some self-sown plants. Dandelions, plantains and wild clovers are natural specialists and part of the Island’s flora.
Mix in herbs, fruit and flowering vegetables. Edible landscapes attract pollinators and people alike.
When?
Planting is best done in autumn or early spring, when the soil is moist and roots can establish. Water until established, then let plants adapt naturally.
Why?
Locally suited planting needs less watering and maintenance while feeding pollinators, birds and soil organisms. Each planted patch becomes part of the Island’s living mosaic, connecting gardens and green spaces across the Biosphere.
Actions for Isle of Wight Species
Butterflies such as common blue and meadow brown depend on bird’s-foot trefoil and knapweed.
Bees and hoverflies feed on sea thrift, scabious, and herbs in gardens and verges.
Swifts and bats benefit indirectly when insect numbers increase through diverse planting.
Birds take seed from grasses and dry flower heads.
Amphibians benefit from shaded, humid planting near ponds or walls.
Observe and Record
Take photos before and after — even a few months apart shows change.
Note what wildlife visits: bees, birds, butterflies, mosses.
Watching your patch change is part of the recovery story — and your records can feed into the Island’s Local Nature Recovery data.
Resources
“Linked to LNRS measures LGH1.3 and UGG1.1, supporting urban habitat enhancement and the control of non-native invasive species to create thriving spaces for people and wildlife.”