Product Description

Chris Baines shows the reader how to transform a garden into a haven for wildlife. He sets the wildlife garden within the context of the broader concerns of regional ecology and reveals how we can each do our bit to safeguard the habitats of important indigenous flora and fauna. A wide range of natural habitats is discussed in detail, including hedgerows, shrubberies, meadows and ponds, with lists of native wildflowers and practical tips.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #108017 in Books
• Published on: 2000-10-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Review
Since its first publication in 1985, this book has established itself as the most authoritative book on wildlife gardening and this completely revised and updated edition incorporates the changes and developments that have since taken place (Wildlife & Countryside )

An essential read for anyone interested in preserving wildlife while creating a truly beautiful green space. (Scottish Sunday Mail )

A great book by Britain's premier wildlife champion (Daily Telegraph )

Woman and Home, October 2001
'...an excellent source of information.'

About the Author
Chris Baines is an award-winning writer and broadcaster and one of the UK's leading environmental campaigners. He writes popular monthly columns for both BBC Wildlife and BBC Gardeners' World magazines. He also worked as a landscape and sustainability adviser on the Millennium Dome project.

To find out more about Chris Baines, click here

Customer Reviews

Does everything it says on the cover...
This an excellent and well written book. There are sadly only a few books on creating wildlife habitats in your garden and this is the best one I have read.Included are sections on each area of the garden, useful lists of the best plants to grow, ideas for new habitat areas to create, I have followed some of the ideas and have seen the amount of wildlife in our garden grow consdierably, last year we didnt have to spray for any harmful insects and this winter we have had a huge selection of birds in the garden that simply werent there last year.The only downside would be the lack of clarity on what exacly to feed and when for birds - other than that this is an excellent, well written and informative book - if you are at all interested in the subject BUY IT NOW!!

Exactly what I was looking for
After the recent (delightful) arrival of roe deer in my garden I bought this book yesterday and read it straight through - it has exactly the right kind of information on gardening for wildlife: why exactly you should plant native plants rather than exotics. Which butterflies and birds feed on which plants. How to propagate wildflowers. How to arrange shrubs and trees to provide better shelter and animal cover. It's Chris Baines's attitude which is the most refreshing - got big bites out of your foliage? Good, he says, it shows you're providing food for xy and z insects, which are food for birds, which are food for larger birds, foxes and so on. I am lucky enough to have a very large country garden, but this book is suitable even if all you have is a city balcony. I am hoping to put his ideas on different kinds of meadow planting, ponds and wetland planting into effect by next summer. A really good read.

An essential read for wildlife enthusiasts
I can only give this book 5 stars as it is a book that is consistantly recommended where wildlife gardening is concerned. Not to say that it couldn't be improved, but it is a very enjoyable read. It strikes a good balance between narrative and practicle tips (mostly in the form of tables) explaining the ways in which you can attract wildlife to your garden. For example in one table it shows you how many species a particular tree attracts. Now if your expecting the book to name all 300+ species oak (quercus robur) attracts then your in for a dissapointment. Although it would be a vast undertaking if someone were to do that complete with pictures of the species then that would appeal to my passion for details in areas concerning wildlife.

It not only deals with trees but also our native flowers. Again not really naming all the species that they attract a lot of the time. But then again you don't really expect that from what is essentially a beginners guide.

Anyone willing to take their knowlege of wildlife gardening to the next level I would seriously recommend this book.