Few of us have the opportunity of a wood in our back gardens but the most wildlife activity takes place at the woodland edge where a greater availability of light supports a more diverse range of plants. Many of our gardens (front and back) have trees in them so planting woodland edge wildflowers beside and below these would be appropriate especially as many of these plants and bulbs flower early or late in the year thus providing forage for bees and other insect pollinators when little else is available.

Primrose by Anthony Stripp – FoTHCP

The most important feature of a woodland edge is that it is comprised of different layers – the more layers, the more species will be attracted. Ideally the height should increase from front to back to allow as much light in as possible. If you want to create one in your garden, follow these tips:
• Upper layers are trees, the mainstay of any woodland planting. If you have room, oak tops the charts in terms of numbers of different creatures it supports – 284 insect species alone! However, planting a smaller tree such as rowan, holly, crab apple or hawthorn will provide shelter for small animals and birds as well as berries for food.
• Climbers can be grown into the branches of the upper layers. Ivy, wild clematis and honeysuckle are all really good for wildlife.
• Shrubs make up the layer beneath the tree canopy. Among those rich in food for wildlife are brambles, dog roses and dogwoods.
• Wildflower plants and bulbs at the base will attract bees, butterflies and other insects as well as providing ground cover for smaller animals.

Red Campion by Anthony Stripp – FoTHCP

• Check out what's growing in local woodland areas as this will give you an idea of plants suitable for your garden but stick to broadleaved native species because these support more biodiversity than conifers and non-native or introduced plants
• Collect leaf mould for mulching every year to keep the soil moist under the trees

If you want to find out more about Woodland Wildflowers, Terry Lyle and Kenneth Greenway of the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (FoTHCP) are running a free, two-session course on appreciating, growing and propagating woodland wildflowers, bulbs and grasses, and discovering their biodiversity values particularly their links with pollinating insects. This course is supported by funding from Re:Leaf. To find out if there are spaces available or book, please contact Ken at thcemeterypark@yahoo.co.uk or call him on 07904 186 981
Dates: Friday 24 February and Friday 20 April 2012.
Venue: Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, c/o The Soanes Centre, Southern Grove, London E3 4PX  

Acknowledgements  
All wildflower images © Anthony Stripp – FoTHCP
Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (FoTHCP)
Re:Leaf

Greater Celandine by Anthony Stripp – FoTHCP

If you do anything in 2012, plant wild!