As we pass the equinox and summer fades into autumn in our gardens, it’s all too tempting to have a good clear up by removing the old spent flowers. However, these could provide a vital food and habitat source for our wildlife over the challenging autumn and winter months to come.
Goldfinch (carduelis carduelis) perched on teasel seedhead
Photo: Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
Here at Flatford Wildlife Garden, we have many teasels, which are left through the winter. Their seeds provide a rich source of protein and fats to goldfinches in particular. Blue tits also benefit from eating any insects which may nestle amongst the teasel structure. Echinacea cones and the flowerheads of clematis vitalba (old man’s beard) are other favourites of the goldfinch, whilst bullfinches love the round seedheads of honesty.
Ground feeding birds can also benefit as the seeds drop down onto the soil or grass. For example, sparrows and dunnocks can forage on the ground to find the tiny black seeds from the pot-like head of the poppy.
A dried out, drooping sunflower head will provide a veritable feast for birds over the winter! Sunflower seeds are packed with minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron along with Vitamin B complex. High in protein, fibre, and polyunsaturated fat, leaving sunflower heads to feed the birds will keep a range of finches and tits supplied with energy as temperatures start to drop. Dried sunflower plants can also provide a great look-out post for birds, such as wrens or robins. Birds that may be wary of coming into our gardens to look for food can gain confidence by using these and other tall plants, such as great mullein, as staging posts between their familiar trees and the bird feeders we put out for them.
Of course, it’s not just birds who can benefit from us leaving seedheads. Standing stems can hold a huge number of insects, larvae and eggs. Insects such as ladybirds and lacewings find shelter in the crevices of plants between the stem and leaf. Small mammals, such as mice, voles and squirrels also benefit from the oil rich flower seeds.
So next time you’re tempted to get out the secateurs to cut down standing flowers, take a thought for the wildlife that might benefit from them over the autumn and winter, and leave some seedheads standing. As an added bonus, the seedheads can add structure and beauty to your garden – who can resist the sight of frost covered seedheads glistening on a winter’s morning? The big chop can wait until spring!
Frosted seedhead festooned with frozen spider's webs, RSPB The Lodge
Photo: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Flatford Wildlife Garden is open for just a few more weeks, open every day 10:30-4:30 until 31st October. During half term, there will be A Big Wild Halloween event, where we will be testing your senses! Do you dare to feel inside the boxes to see what is hidden inside? What is that smell hidden in our smelly bags? Families will be able to pick up a Big Wild Halloween activity pack and senses trail from our visitor centre for £3.50, complete with a trail sheet, nature activity booklet, recipe card, character mask and certificate.