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Gardens

3 inspiring garden designs

For some extra inspiration, here are three bird-friendly garden designs, put together by the gardeners at Soontiëns Stadsnatuur. As well as the garden layout, we’ve also included some tips on planting and paving.

The Contemporary Garden

Where every bird feels at home

  1. Evergreen shrubs such as holly and photinia, along with a dense hedge of, for example: field maple, privet or yew, are ideal for birds as a place of shelter and nesting.
  2. A pile of woodprovides a lovely hiding place for insects and ladybirds. Drill small holes into the wood to provide nesting spaces for solitary bees.
  3. With shrubs such as guelder rose, elder and crab apple, birds can also find food in the garden.
  4. From early spring to late autumn, with flower bulbs such as crocuses and snowdrops, and flowering autumn plants such as autumn anemones and autumn asters, there is colour in the garden for a long time.
  5. Water attracts birds. For example, place a nice drinking bowl in a spot that is safe for birds.
  6. Nesting boxes turn any garden into a home for birds. Swallows and sparrows, for instance, love a spot under the roof tiles. For great tits and crested tits, a nesting box with a 32 mm entrance hole is the best option. Hang it at a height of 2 to 3 metres with the entrance facing north-east and – if there are several nesting boxes – at least 10 metres apart. In this garden, the nesting box is best hung on the right-hand side of the boundary fence.
  7. In a contemporary garden design with straight lines, a paved area with tiles is perfectly appropriate.

The Informal Garden

Where every bird feels free

  1. Evergreen shrubs such as photinia, and a
    dense hedge of, for example, privet or yew, are ideal for birds as a place of shelter and nesting.
  2. Make an insect hotel out of a pile of wood or roof tiles. Birds will appreciate it, as insects are part of their diet.
  3. With berry-bearing climbers such as firethorn, birds will find even more food in the garden.
  4. From early spring to late autumn, with flower bulbs such as tulips and daffodils, and flowering autumn plants such as knotweed, there is colour in the garden for a long time.
  5. Water attracts birds. For example, place a nice drinking bowl in a spot that is safe for birds.
  6. Nest boxes turn any garden into a home for birds. Swallows and sparrows, for instance, love a spot under the roof tiles. For great tits and crested tits, a nesting box with a 32 mm entrance hole is the best option. Hang it at a height of 2 to 3 metres with the entrance facing north-east and – if there are several nesting boxes – at least 10 metres apart. In this garden, the nesting box is best hung on the right-hand side of the boundary fence.
  7. In gardens with a more informal layout, paving that isn’t entirely uniform works well. Paths made of flagstones or bark mulch really come into their own here.

The Family Garden

Perfect for children and birds

  1. Evergreen shrubs such as photinia, and a
    dense hedge of, for example, field maple, privet or guelder rose, are ideal for birds as a place of shelter and nesting.
  2. A pile of wood makes a lovely hiding place for insects. With a neat finish around it, it’s a perfect seating area for children. Great for making sand cakes.
  3. A family garden needs a play feature such as a sandpit.
  4. Berry-bearing shrubs such as redcurrants delight both birds and children.
  5. From early spring to late autumn, with flower bulbs such as grape hyacinths and flowering autumn plants such as black cohosh and Chinese spindle, there is colour in the garden for a long time.
  6. Water attracts birds. For example, place a nice drinking bowl in a spot that’s safe for birds.
  7. Nesting boxes turn any garden into a home for birds. Swallows and sparrows, for instance, love a spot under the roof tiles. For great tits and crested tits, a nesting box with a 32 mm entrance hole is the best option. Hang it at a height of 2 to 3 metres with the entrance facing north-east and – if there are several nesting boxes – at least 10 metres apart. In this garden, the nesting box is
    best hung on the right-hand side of the boundary fence.
  8. A family garden isn’t complete without a play lawn. Stepping stones make a fun and attractive addition.