From the Archives: Planting for Wildlife
Peter Gibbs prunes through the GQT archives in search of advice on planting for wildlife.
Peter Gibbs guides us through the GQT archive, which includes some much needed advice on how to make your garden more wildlife friendly.
The GQT team have pruned through 77 years of questions and answers to reveal useful advice provided by our various horticultural experts. This includes tips on how to attract bats to the garden, advice on rabbit proof plants and the benefits of snakes in the garden
Later, we listen back to when Kirsty Wilson visited Glenarm Castle and discussed how we make our gardens to safe for hedgehogs.
Producer: Bethany Hocken
Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4
Last on
Plant List
Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided.
Q – Spent plants… to clear or not to clear? (1’29”)
Kitty –
Alcea, hollyhocks
Cynara cardunculus Scolymus Group, globe artichoke
Cichoriumintybus, chicory
Q – I’m looking for hedge ideas for a 20-metre boundary. I'd like it to be wildlife friendly, fast growing and evergreen. (05’36”)
Matt Biggs –
Crataegus, hawthorn
Crataegusmonogyna, common Hawthorne
Bunny Guinness –
Ilex aquifolium, common holly
Lottie Allen –
Fagussylvatica Atropurpurea Group, copper beech
Feature – Kirsty Wilson discusses protecting hedgehogs in the garden (09’23)
Q – What plants would the panel recommend to attract insects which are active at night and therefore bats into my garden? (13’33”)
Bob Flowerdew –
Tilia × europaea, common lime
Lonicera, honeysuckles
Anne Swithinbank –
Itea ilicifolia, holly-leaved sweet spire
Araujia sericifera, cruel plant
Q – What can I plant in my bog pond that will make it look more appealing and prevent herons from visiting? (16’08”)
Chris Beardshaw –
Caltha palustris, marsh marigold
Mentha spicata, spearmint
Lobeliacardinalis 'Queen Victoria', cardinal flower 'Queen Victoria'
Iris sibirica, siberian flag
Feature – Encouraging birds to tackle common pests and diseases such as box blite.
Q – Is there any way to discourage pheasants from my garden? (24’11”)
Q – What can I plant in my garden that won’t be eaten by rabbits? (27’50”)
John Cushney –
Cortaderiaselloana,pampas Grass
Feature – Pippa Greenwood providing advice on how to make your garden wildlife friendly (32’06)
Q – Do snakes have any benefit to our gardens? (35’52”)
Broadcasts
- Fri 7 Feb 202515:00BBC Radio 4
- Sun 9 Feb 202514:00BBC Radio 4
Podcast
![]()
Gardeners' Question Time
Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts


