Where are the bees and butterflies?

Lessons I learned from designing RHS Wisley's Wildlife Garden

As I sit in my garden in 2024, the relative quiet is unsettling. Where once there was a constant bustle of buzzing bees, chirping birds and fluttering butterflies, now the garden seems subdued. The occasional sighting of a butterfly or bee elicits a mixture of joy and concern – a reminder of what we're at risk of losing. In a garden full of July flowers, this year feels particularly stark, a reflection of the broader challenges we face.

My observations align with recent statistics but they also fuel my determination. When I began conceiving the RHS's wildlife garden in 2017, I was alarmed to find the UK was one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Curious to see if the current lack of buzz in my garden was simply my imagination, on checking again last week, it appears things have only got worse. Yet I'm determined to stay positive and be inspired by the growing awareness and action I see around me.

The RHS Wisley Wildlife Garden

It's against this backdrop of both challenge and opportunity that I reflect on one of my most significant projects: the Wildlife Garden at RHS Wisley. Opened on 24 June 2021, this one-acre space stands as a beacon of hope and a blueprint for positive change. It's a garden I'm immensely proud of, one that has become a personal mission and continues to shape my professional work. Our goal is to reconnect people with nature, regardless of their background or where they live. I believe that when people experience nature up

close, they not only see its beauty and fragility but also feel compelled and empowered to protect and nurture it.

The Scale of the Challenge: Why Every Garden Matters

To understand the importance of projects like the Wildlife Garden at RHS Wisley, it's crucial to grasp the scale of the biodiversity crisis we face. The 2023 State of Nature report revealed some stark figures:

·       43% of bird species are now at risk of extinction in Great Britain

·       26% of mammals face extinction

·       28% of fungi species are under threat

·       31% of amphibians and reptiles are facing an uncertain future

·       The distributions of more than half (54%) of flowering plant species have declined

These statistics are alarming, but I believe they’re not a reason for complete despair. Instead, they underline why the work we gardeners are doing is so vital. Every wildlife-friendly garden, no matter how small, can become a sanctuary for these threatened species. By understanding the challenge, we can appreciate the power of our collective action. The Wildlife Garden at RHS Wisley isn't just a beautiful space – I’d like to think it inspires action about how we can all contribute to reversing these trends, one garden, or even plant, at a time.

From Twitter to Thriving Ecosystem: The Garden's Inspiration

My journey began unexpectedly in August 2017 when, scrolling through Twitter on a train (oh, the irony that it all began with a tweet!), I spotted the RHS's invitation to pitch designs for both the Wildlife and World Food Gardens at Wisley. Little did I know then that it would spark a four-year odyssey of creativity, collaboration and challenge before the garden would open to the public.