Author: Carol NickbargContributor: Native Plant Subject GroupEditor: Kamille Hammerstrom

Published on: March 12, 2017

Bushtits seeking insect food in thicket of

Coyote brush and Sticky monkeyflower.

Photo: © Carol Nickbarg.

Like true butterflies and moths, skippers

are valued pollinators. Larvae feed on

leaves of grasses, sedges or shrubs

depending on the species. Fallen leaves or

other debris from larval host plants also

provide hidden habitat for eggs and pupal

stages. Photo: © Carol Nickbarg.

Extend Your Garden’s Hospitality – Go Wildlife-Friendly! Wildlife-FriendlyGardens, Part II

Planning a Wildlife-Friendly Garden

A sustainable wildlife-friendly garden rests on habitat creation – the addition of native plants andphysical features to your garden, and on diversity of insect species – the wildlife “foundation” of yourgarden. To plan what to add or encourage, inventory the present state of your garden:

Observe your garden throughout the year. What types of desirable wildlife are already inyour garden? Where in the garden do they appear: plant species/physical feature, shade/sun,feeding/nesting? Do they appear seasonally or year-round? Not all plants (even of the samespecies) or physical features are alike. For a plant species that thrives in either sun or part shade,one may be more favored than the other depending on the insect, bird or mammal using it.Likewise, birds may not perch on a snag fully exposed to strong winds, but may use the lessexposed snag found only a few feet away.Research your area. What kinds of plants and wildlife are native to local areas similar to yourproperty (climate, exposure, soil type, topography). Parks (state, county) and local wildlifeorganizations are wonderful resources, with downloadable lists and profiles of flora and fauna,often sorted by the different habitats found in local wildlands.Which wildlife species in your area would you like to see in your garden? Which needsupport and could benefit from your garden? Which plants and physical features would encouragetheir presence? Physical features need not be large or require major construction. Numeroussmall and simple features such as a pile of stones, a bee nest structure, a birdhouse can createbenefits greater than the “sum of their parts.” What seems minor to us, e.g., a downed branch,may already be host to beneficial decomposers we can't see and used by other wildlife we can.Observe your garden again for undesirable plants, wildlife or features. Choose controlmethods that will not conflict with your wildlife-friendly goals, e.g., avoid herbicides for weedcontrol, which may also harm desirable plants.Select suitable native plants or physical features. As your garden's overall diversity becomes richer, so will its range of potential habitatsand wildlife. Make changes gradually, regardless of whether your garden is young, mature or somewhere in-between: introduce two or threenative plant species at a time (vary understory height, flower size and shape, bloom time), two or three types of physical features at a time.For young gardens or gardens with low wildlife presence, start by encouraging insects, then move up in phases to birds, reptiles, smallmammals as desired.

Other Considerations

Medical and Veterinary

Research potential risks to family or pets associated with plants or wildlife you are considering for yourgarden. We provide the following links for you to research your questions about people, pets, andwildlife, but always check with your physician or veterinarian for the final word on potential risks.

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)Pet careToxic and non-toxic plants

Bay Area Lyme FoundationUniveristy of California Division of Agriculture and National Resources (UCANR)

Natural Nuisances

Check for unique behaviors when researching wildlife. For example, a seasonal pond may attract thePacific treefrog (Pseudacris regilla), a favorite of this writer's but admittedly very vocal and very loud:one frog's “serenade” to another may become an unwelcome disruption of peace and quiet.

Governing Agencies

UUCC MMAASSTTEERR GGAARRDDEENNEERRSS OOFF MMOONNTTEERREEYY BBAAYYHome Gardening Tips

Extend Your Garden’s Hospitality – Go Wildlife-Friendly! Wildlife-... http://www.ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=23513

1 of 3 6/22/21, 3:23 PM

Syrphid fly feeding on Ceanothus pollen.

Syrphid larvae are garden beneficials,

feeding on aphids, scales, thrips and other

soft-bodied insects. Photo: © Carol

Nickbarg.

Pacific treefrog. Adult diet consists of

many kinds of flying and crawling insects,

including ants, flies and mosquitoes. An

indicator species, its population trends are

used to help assess overall health of local

ecosystems. Photo: © Carol Nickbarg.

Always consult with relevant HOA, city, county and/or other agencies during your planning phase.

Physical featuresSome features or changes (e.g., terracing, drainage) to your garden may require a permit.Some features, especially certain water features, may alter the ecology of your property:as plants and wildlife come to depend on the feature, governing agencies or other entitiesmay not allow the feature to be removed later, even if the feature is man-made.

PlantsPlant installation or removal: local urban forestry departments or other agencies may havepreferred species or “avoid” lists for certain plants in your area; tree or other vegetationremoval may require a permit.

Maintaining a Wildlife-Friendly Garden

Regularly inspect any netting or structures to be sure birds, reptiles, small mammals have notbecome trapped.Regularly maintain birdbaths or other water features.Manually remove weeds and invasive plants.Practice integrated pest management.

California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC)PlantRightThe Gardener's Guide to Common-Sense Pest Control: Completely Revised and Updated.2013. William Olkowski, Sheila Daar, Helga Olkowski. Taunton Press.University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management (UC IPM)

Final Thoughts...

We are irrevocably connected to wildlife, sharing acommunal ecosystem with permanent and seasonal wildlifeof all types and sizes. Happily, for our sense of wonder andto our mutual benefit, wildlife recognizes habitat ratherthan property lines. Together, our gardens, whether asneighbors or welcoming hostels, can reconnect with othervibrant spaces in our communities to provide continuity andstability of needed habitat and resources.

References and Additional Resources

References

Skippers, Encyclopedia of Life

Pacific treefrogs, National Parks Traveler

This is the second of a two-part post. To read the first partor check out the rest of the references and resources forthis post, visit Part I on our website.

For local inspiration, be sure to attend our 2017 UCMaster Gardeners of Monterey Bay Garden Tour onSeptember 9th, 2017. More information about the Garden Tour can be found here.

If you'd like to purchase any of the reference books mentioned, use our AmazonSmile account! It won't cost you anything but we'll get a smalldonation with each purchase made through our link. Don't forget to subscribe to our blog so that you receive an email notification when a new post

goes up. If you have questions, contact us online, by phone or in person to get answers to your gardening quandaries!

Tags: native plant gardening (4), native plants (2), Wildlife - General (1),

wildlife garden (3), wildlife habitat (2)

Comments: 0

No Comments Posted.

Leave a Reply:

You are currently not signed in. If you have an account, then sign in now!Anonymous users messages may be delayed.

Name (required)

Extend Your Garden’s Hospitality – Go Wildlife-Friendly! Wildlife-... http://www.ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=23513

2 of 3 6/22/21, 3:23 PM

E-mail (required)

Your comments:

Security Code:TRYTTF

Enter Code

Save Comments

RReecceenntt PPoossttss

Two Methods to Winterize Your Garden

September 30, 2018

A Bird in the Hand?

January 14, 2018

Grasp the thorn!

January 9, 2018

RReecceenntt CCoommmmeennttss

Kamille Hammerstrom: Hi Pat, From what I

have read,...

Pat Galloway: Is redwood sawdust good to

use for...

John Warnick: I'm enjoying your

advice,thankyou.

Balcony Garedn: Wonderful writing. From it

I learn...

TToopp TTaaggss

• California native plants • gardening •

vegetable gardening • native plant

gardening • garden • tomatoes • wildlife

garden • brassica • cabbage • Citrus -

General • compost • fall garden • habitat

gardening • native plants • October

Enter e-mail Address

/ RRSSSS / PPooddccaasstt   

Get the latest Blog Feed Via RSS

LoginAgriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. • All contents copyright©2021 Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Nondiscrimination Statement Get Adobe Flash Get Adobe Acrobat Reader

Extend Your Garden’s Hospitality – Go Wildlife-Friendly! Wildlife-... http://www.ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=23513

3 of 3 6/22/21, 3:23 PM