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?
Anywhere there is recreation grassland, lawn and verge, grounds of any kind where there is a chance to add new ecological value to amenity turf and sward (remians of old grassland and natural habitats are best left alone!). From gardens and schools to farms and business parks, there are so many urban, domestic and industrial grasslands with scope for quick and easy biodiversity boost!
On Chalk: field scabious, knapweed, bird’s-foot trefoil, bladder campion, hedge bedstraw,
Coastal gardens: sea campion, thrift, stonecrop, vipers bugloss, wild carrot, and other salt-tolerant species.
Clay ground and damp sites: meadowsweet, purple loosestrife, yellow flag, ragged robin, meadow foxtail (grass),
Urban and village plots: oxeye daisy, silverweed, wild strawberry, dog violet, lady’s bedstraw, perforate st. john’s wort, catsear.
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 and helping to support and even nurse ornamental and garden planting. 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, meadow brown, large skipper and small copper will quickly find your patch if it provides both foodplants for larvae and nectar for adults.
Pollinating insects of all kinds (moths, butterflies, bees, flies, beetles and more) will be attracted to your project, bringing with them a host of other species connected through food webs and other ecological connections.
Swifts and bats benefit when local insect numbers increase thanks to well-selected planting.
Goldfinches and Linnets take seeds from grasses and flower heads.
Shrews and voles benefit from increased local food supplies.
Observe and Record
Take photos before and after — even a few months apart shows change.
Keep a note of what you see and use the information to make useful changes and additions to your project.
Watching your patch change is part of the recovery story — and your records will aid learning across the the Island’s Local Nature Recovery network.
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.”