In recent years, you’ve probably heard the term “rewilding” being thrown around, whether it’s in gardening magazines, environmental discussions, or even on the news. It’s a concept that’s really taken off as more people are waking up to the idea of bringing nature back into our lives—starting right in our own gardens. Rewilding is about letting go of some of the strict controls we often impose on our outdoor spaces and letting nature take the lead.
For a long time, I, too, was guilty of trying to maintain that “perfect” garden—the trimmed lawn, perfectly pruned shrubs, and tidy flower beds. But as the conversation around climate change, biodiversity, and wildlife conservation has grown, I’ve started to rethink the way I approach my garden. After all, with green spaces shrinking in many urban and suburban areas, our gardens are becoming even more important for wildlife.
And it turns out, letting your garden go a little wild can be pretty freeing. It doesn’t mean you need to let everything run rampant—rewilding is more about taking a step back and letting nature do what it does best. Think of it as giving your garden a gentle nudge in the right direction and then sitting back to enjoy the wildlife that comes flocking in. You might be surprised at just how quickly nature responds when you give it a bit of space.
Here’s a deeper dive into how you can rewild your garden, why it’s important, and some personal lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Don’t Forget…
I have a whole other blog post about the 8 Essential Plants for Rewilding Your Garden and Boosting Biodiversity!
Why Rewilding Your Garden Is More Important Than Ever
With biodiversity loss at the forefront of many environmental discussions, rewilding has become a key strategy in helping reverse some of the damage that’s been done to our natural ecosystems. According to recent research, gardens in the UK cover more land than all the country’s national nature reserves combined. That’s a staggering statistic, and it highlights just how much potential our gardens have to support wildlife.
By making even small changes to the way we manage our gardens, we can create spaces that benefit not only ourselves but also birds, bees, butterflies, hedgehogs, and other creatures that are struggling to survive in increasingly fragmented habitats.
I remember when I first started rewilding part of my garden. It was a bit of a shift in mindset—I had always been taught to tidy everything up, keep everything under control. But as I watched wildflowers bloom where I once would have pulled them out as “weeds,” and saw more birds and insects visiting my garden than ever before, I knew I was on the right track. Now, I can’t imagine going back to the old way of doing things.
How to Get Started with Rewilding
Rewilding doesn’t mean you have to give up on your garden entirely and let it turn into a jungle. It’s more about finding a balance between wild and managed, between structure and freedom. Whether you have a sprawling garden or just a tiny patch of outdoor space, there are simple steps you can take to invite nature back in.
1. Rethink Your Lawn
One of the simplest—and sometimes hardest—things to do is to let your lawn grow a little wilder. I know, I know. For years, we’ve been conditioned to think that a well-manicured lawn is the hallmark of a beautiful garden. But letting your grass grow longer, or even dedicating part of your lawn to a mini wildflower meadow, can make a huge difference for wildlife.
Longer grass provides a habitat for insects like grasshoppers and butterflies, which in turn attract birds and other creatures. When I first let part of my lawn grow wild, I wasn’t sure how it would look, but I was surprised at how quickly it started attracting life. Bees buzzed around the clover, butterflies fluttered about, and even small birds came down to forage among the grass.
If you’re not ready to let the whole lawn go, you could start by mowing paths through the taller grass. This way, you create a natural, wild look while still keeping some order. Plus, it’s fun to see the contrast between the mown paths and the wild areas.
2. Plant Native Species
Native plants are the backbone of a rewilded garden. They’ve evolved alongside the local wildlife, so they’re better suited to providing the food, shelter, and nesting sites that birds, bees, butterflies, and other animals need. Plus, native plants are often hardier and require less care, which makes them perfect for a more natural garden.
When I started incorporating more native species into my garden, I noticed that not only did the garden feel more alive, but the plants were thriving with less effort on my part. The bees and butterflies seemed to arrive in greater numbers, and even the birds were more active, feeding on the insects and seeds.
Here are a few UK-native plants that are perfect for rewilding your garden:
- Red Campion (Silene dioica): This beautiful wildflower produces bright pink flowers from spring through to early autumn and is a favorite of bees and butterflies. I planted a few red campions along the edge of a shady border, and they’ve been happily self-seeding ever since.
- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea): A classic cottage garden plant, foxgloves are also a wildlife-friendly choice. Their tall spires of tubular flowers are perfect for bumblebees. I planted foxgloves near my patio, and they’ve added both height and a sense of wild elegance to the garden.
- Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus): This low-growing plant with its bright yellow flowers is a fantastic addition to a wildflower area. It’s a food source for a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Plus, it’s super easy to grow and will happily spread over time.
- Betony (Stachys officinalis): Betony is a lovely perennial that produces spikes of pinkish-purple flowers in the summer, attracting bees and other insects. It’s perfect for planting in a wild border or meadow area.
- Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra): Often found in wild meadows, common knapweed produces striking purple flowers that are loved by bees and butterflies. I’ve got a few clumps of knapweed in my garden, and they’re always buzzing with activity during the summer months.
3. Let Plants Self-Seed
One of the most rewarding aspects of rewilding is letting plants do what they do naturally—self-seed. It might feel strange at first, especially if you’re used to pulling up every seedling that pops up in the wrong place, but once you let go a little and allow plants to find their own spots, you’ll be amazed at the results.
I’ve got a few areas in my garden where I’ve allowed wildflowers like oxeye daisies, teasel, and poppies to self-seed. Every year, they come back in different places, creating a dynamic and ever-changing display. It adds an element of surprise to the garden, and it’s fascinating to see how the plants interact with each other and the wildlife.
Plants like foxgloves, verbena bonariensis, and red campion are particularly good at self-seeding and will naturalize over time if given the chance.
4. Reduce the Use of Chemicals
This one is a no-brainer, really, but it can be hard to break old habits. I used to be quick to reach for the bug spray whenever I saw aphids on my roses or caterpillars munching on my leaves. But as I started to rewild my garden, I realized that chemicals do more harm than good. They kill off beneficial insects, disrupt the natural balance, and can even harm birds and other wildlife that rely on insects for food.
Now, instead of spraying, I focus on building healthy soil and encouraging natural predators. I’ve got more ladybirds and birds in the garden now, and they help keep the pests in check. It’s amazing how nature balances itself out when you let it.
For things like slugs, I’ve found that simple barriers like copper tape and eggshells work pretty well, and leaving some parts of the garden a bit wild means the slugs have plenty of other places to feed, keeping them away from my more delicate plants.
5. Create Wildlife Habitats
Rewilding isn’t just about planting—it’s also about creating habitats for wildlife. There are loads of simple things you can do to make your garden a more inviting place for birds, insects, and small mammals.
- Build a Bug Hotel: Bug hotels are easy to make and provide shelter for all sorts of beneficial insects like ladybirds, solitary bees, and lacewings. You can create a bug hotel using materials you already have around the garden—things like bamboo canes, twigs, bricks with holes in them, and dried leaves.
- Leave a Log Pile: A simple pile of logs or branches in a shady corner of your garden can become a home for beetles, hedgehogs, and even frogs. I’ve got a small log pile behind my compost bin, and it’s a hot spot for insects and other wildlife.
- Install Bird Boxes: Bird boxes are a great way to encourage birds to nest in your garden. When I installed a bird box a couple of years ago, it didn’t take long for a pair of blue tits to move in. Watching them raise their chicks each spring has become one of the highlights of my gardening year.
- Create a Pond: Even a small pond can make a huge difference in attracting wildlife to your garden. Ponds provide water and shelter for frogs, newts, dragonflies, and birds. I added a small wildlife pond in a shady corner of my garden, and it quickly became one of the busiest areas, with frogs, bees, and birds all making regular visits.
6. Grow a Mix of Climbing Plants and Shrubs
Vertical gardening is another fantastic way to add habitat and structure to your rewilded garden. Climbing plants like ivy, honeysuckle, and clematis provide shelter and food for insects and birds. They’re also great for adding a touch of wild beauty to your garden walls and fences.
I’ve let clematis vitalba (traveller’s joy) and ivy take over an old fence in my garden. It’s a tangle of green leaves and flowers now, providing shelter for birds and insects while softening the hard lines of the fence. Plus, it requires almost no maintenance, which is a big plus in my book.
Shrubs like hawthorn, blackthorn, and hazel are perfect for creating natural boundaries or adding structure to your garden. They’re also excellent for wildlife, providing berries for birds and shelter for nesting.
7. Let Your Garden Evolve Naturally
One of the best pieces of advice I can give when it comes to rewilding is to let your garden evolve naturally. You don’t need to plan everything out meticulously or stick to a strict design. Let nature guide you a bit. Allow plants to spread, watch how wildlife interacts with the garden, and embrace the changes that come with each season.
Every year, my rewilded garden looks a little different, and I love that. Some plants take center stage one year, while others fade into the background. Birds, insects, and small mammals come and go, depending on what’s available for them to feed on or shelter in. It’s like a constantly shifting tapestry of life, and it’s endlessly fascinating to watch.
8. Add Fruit Trees and Berries
Another great way to support wildlife while also benefiting from your garden’s bounty is to plant fruit trees and berry bushes. Not only do they provide food for birds and insects, but they also offer a harvest for you!
I planted a small crab apple tree in my garden a few years back, and it’s been fantastic for both wildlife and me. The bees love the spring blossoms, and the birds feast on the small, tart fruits in the autumn. I also added a few blackcurrant and gooseberry bushes, which attract bees and provide me with fruit for jams and pies.
If you don’t have space for a full-sized tree, you could consider dwarf varieties or espaliered trees, which can be trained to grow flat against a wall or fence.
Final Thoughts: Rewilding Is About Balance
Rewilding your garden is a wonderful way to reconnect with nature and create a space that benefits both wildlife and people. It’s not about abandoning your garden entirely or letting things get out of control—it’s about finding a balance between wildness and management, between structure and freedom.
In my experience, rewilding has made gardening more enjoyable and less stressful. I no longer feel the pressure to keep everything perfect, and instead, I focus on encouraging biodiversity and enjoying the natural ebb and flow of the garden. It’s a process, and it’s different for every garden, but that’s what makes it so exciting. If you still need some inspiration, check out this guide from Rewilding Britain!
So if you’re feeling inspired to give rewilding a go, start small. Let your lawn grow a little longer, add a few native plants, build a bug hotel, or create a mini wildflower meadow. You’ll be amazed at how quickly nature responds, and before you know it, your garden will be buzzing with life.
