Creeser, R. 2004. Wildlife Friendly Plants. London, Collins & Brown, Chrysalis Books. ISBN 1 84340 093 6.
Softback. 17x26cm. 144 pages.
Almost three quarters of this book is given over to detailed discussion of those plants which are of most use to the wildlife gardener. This fact alone sets it apart from other wildlife gardening books on offer from the major publishers which, up to this point, have found it necessary to attempt to cover the whole subject of wildlife gardening in a single volume. Hopefully this is a sign that the public appetite, and hence the market, for wildlife gardening literature is now maturing. Too many recent books on the subject have repackaged the information set out in Chris Baines' seminal work
How To Make a Wildlife Garden with relatively minor changes in emphasis and content.
Rosemary Creeser's book develops a single aspect of wildlife gardening in more depth than is possible in a general book on the subject
Rosemary Creeser's book develops a single aspect of wildlife gardening in more depth than is possible in a general book on the subject and as such is truly complementary to Chris Baines' book: I very much hope that it is a sign of things to come.
The small introductory chapters 'choosing wildlife-friendly plants', 'creating a haven for wildlife', 'how to plant' and 'encouraging and sustaining wildlife', deal with wildlife gardening in broader terms, but there is nearly always a 'plant' spin on the discussion.
The directory of plants includes over 90 species, both native and introducedThe directory of plants includes over 90 species, both native and introduced; the only criteria on which their inclusion appears to depend is in their attractiveness to garden wildlife.
There is a notable emphasis on plants that are useful to owners of smaller gardensThere is a notable emphasis on plants that are useful to owners of smaller gardens, so many of the larger native trees and shrubs are not included. Every species has an entire page devoted to it and in some instances there is an extra full page picture on the facing page. Each species account includes sections on where to plant, caring for the plant and a general description of its use in the wildlife garden. The pros and cons of various varieties are discussed to a greater extent than I have come across in any other text.
Clear symbols at the head of each species account enable to you quickly determine which major animal groups are attracted to the plant, its growing habit (height and spread) and also the amount of light/shade toleratedClear symbols at the head of each species account enable to you quickly determine which major animal groups are attracted to the plant, its growing habit (height and spread) and also the amount of light/shade tolerated. A fold-out back cover is a nice feature that enables you to see the key for these symbols adjacent to any page in the book.
In the short space of time I have had the book, I have already formulated new ideas about the planting I wish to do in my own gardenIn the short space of time I have had the book, I have already formulated new ideas about the planting I wish to do in my own garden. This book should be near to the top of the shopping list for anyone who wishes to make their garden more wildlife friendly.
The book is available via
Amazon.
This is a wildlife gardening book that concentrates, to a greater extent than most other books in the genre, on the actual plants which can be used in the wildlife garden.