Introduced species can disrupt foodchains by depriving animals of their customary diets. As rural environments come under increasing pressure, the cultivation of native plants in gardens and public places provides valuable oases for wildlife. Once established native plants usually withstand long periods of dry weather. Many will grow in difficult areas of the garden with little or no fertiliser. Local plants are the essence of regional identity and preserve the character of the English countryside.
People are concerned with the destruction of natural environment throughout the world.
Now too, they are becoming crucial to wildlife. By growing those plants which offer food and shelter to wildlife, gardeners can make a real contribution to conservation in their local areas. Anyone with a garden can help redress the balance of declining birds, butterflies and other species by growing leaves and flowers for insects, berries for birds, and thick foliage to shelter a wide range of animals. In this way a valuable wildlife oasis may be created, even in the heart of the city. By selecting appropriate plants using the Postcode Plants Database, gardeners can be sure that the plants they grow will be suitable for wildlife and for their local environment.