Could you create a nature-friendly garden from all invasive species? Yes, says naturalist
By Oliver Rogers
April 17, 2025
Today (02 March) is World Wildlife Day and as many prepare to celebrate our amazing native species, could it actually be time to consider how we might need to re-think some of our cherished planting ideas in the face of globe heating and climate change.
Naturalist, Chris Gibson retired from his work as an adviser at Natural England and is now helping Beth Chatto’s Plants and Gardens to work more closely with nature and to change some of their less wildlife-friendly plants from abroad.
Chris says he’s the wildlife advocate for Beth Chatto’s garden and it was his work on one particular plant, thalia dealbata, an aquatic plant in the garden that brought his ideas into focus. He says:
It is sold by many mail order companies as a plant that attracts pollinators, well that’s true – unfortunately that attraction is fatal.”
This aquatic plant appears to have flowers that trap small pollinators such as honeybees, hoverflies and lacewings. In it’s native range of South America, larger Carpenter Bees pollinate the plant and are able to extract themselves from the flower.
The plant does not eat the insects and as a result of this research Chris was able to advise that it should be removed to promote the safety of pollinators.
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He says it shows how the ‘right plant, in the right place’ is an important philosophy and that it is possible to have a garden made totally from invasive species which is helpful and promotes native wildlife.
At Beth Chatto gardens there are very few multi-petal forms that don’t provide the resource that nature wants. I’m so happy that since I’ve been involved I have been able to guide the management, both garden and nursery, to becoming fully organic,” Chris says.
Find out more about Chris Gibson and his work at his website.
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