Although the aim is to create a haven for wildlife, it is sometimes necessary to interfere with the balance if certain species become too dominant. After all, this is an urban environment and some management needs to be involved. Resistant plant strains. This is all very well but such manipulation of the genetic structure has its drawbacks. Quite often the selection of genes for particular characteristics are traded against those genes which give the plant a natural resistance to pests and diseases.
Hybrid varieties are particularly vulnerable.
You will therefore often find that older varieties of plants can be more successful in your garden. These can be obtained from good quality garden centres or nurseries. It is worth checking out The Museum of Garden History at Lambeth Palace in London, which specialises in old and traditional garden plant varieties. Companion plants . There are many instances where two or more varieties of plants growing side by side can be of benefit to one or each other.