Leave Seedheads Standing

Relish the fading glory as your flowers give way to drifts of seedheads. Resisting the urge to pick up the secateurs and clear up at the end of summer will allow nature to have its encore. Under the crispy frosting of winter mornings, seedheads can be an absolute joy. Seedheads are great for birds and other wildlife at a time of year when pickings are thin. Birds will eke out the seeds, while standing stems can hold a myriad of insects, larvae and eggs. As an added bonus, stems also shield your garden soil from winter elements too. You can still tidy flopped stems or those toppled over paths. A tidy garden can still be a wildlife-friendly garden.

Step-by-step guide
Picksome plants to grow from
You can see our recommendations for the best wildlife-friendly plants to grow for their winter seedheads under 'Optional Extras'.