Wild About Gardens

Wild About Gardens is a joint initiative by the RHS and The Wildlife Trusts to get more people growing for wildlife

Why should I be concerned?

Over the past 50 years, we’ve seen declines in two-thirds of the UK’s plant and animal species, for a range of reasons, including loss of habitat. Many of our once-regular garden visitors – hedgehogs, house sparrows and common frogs, for example – are much less common.

But together we can make a difference. Our gardens and green spaces have tremendous potential to support wildlife – join our campaign to turn the UK’s estimated 30 million gardens into a network of mini nature reserves. Each year, we explore a theme that inspires action for an animal or habitat that needs our help.

Wild About Slugs and Snails – making friends with molluscs

    In 2024, we are shining a light on slugs and snails. Often given a bad rap, molluscs do a lot of good work in our gardens.

    Although they are not topping any endangered species lists, they are important parts of our garden ecosystems.

    As well as serving as an important food source for some of our favourite garden visitors, detritivore species of slug and snail help to break down waste and return nutrients to the soil, true compost compadres.

    Read our new Wild About Gardens booklet to learn more about molluscs and how to garden alongside them. You can also find our slug and snail safari spotter sheets, to help you identify some of your gastropod garden guests.

    Pledge to be a slug and snail supporter and join a network of wildlife gardeners across the UK and beyond, growing for change.

    Make a pledge >

Helen Bostock, RHS Senior Wildlife Specialist, said:

“The RHS wants everyone to help protect the plants, animals and fungi that benefit our gardens and protect the wider environment. While a small number of slugs and snails can cause damage to certain plants, overall they bring many benefits to the garden and contribute to a balanced ecosystem, whether that’s by clearing away rotting vegetation or providing a vital food source for more popular garden visitors such as frogs, hedgehogs and song thrushes. We hope that by highlighting the crucial work that molluscs do in our gardens we can help give them a well-deserved reputation makeover”

Download your free gardening guide and add your pledged patch to the UK-wide digital map:

Visit the Wild About Gardens website

Find out more about slugs

Who’s who in slugs

Who’s who in slugs

Discover the little-known benefits slugs bring to ecosystems

Who’s who in slugs
10 fun facts about slugs

10 fun facts about slugs

RHS entomologist Hayley Jones sheds some light on these slippery customers

10 fun facts about slugs

Gardening for wildlife

Creating an inspiring wildlife haven

Watch how one Britain in Bloom group at the Gateway Garden in Sheffield, worked with schools and Gavin from the RHS, to transform a derelict patch of land into a place where wildlife can thrive

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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.