As their name suggests, rock gardens contain rocks, usually of varying size and shape. They are usually planted up with dwarf or low-growing alpine plants which allows plenty of sun to reach and warm the rocks. Butterflies can be seen in summer sunning themselves in such spots. Reptiles too, especially lizards will use these areas to catch the sun to warm up.

A cairn made of our rocks and bricks, covered in turf or a layer of soil up to 45cm (18in) deep will provide a snug overwintering shelter for frogs, toads, newts and reptiles, not to mention many other creatures too. This is called a 'hibernaculum'. It can also be made in a pit. Insert some pipes or tubes into the hibernaculum as you construct it to provide easy access for animals.

Not sure if a rock garden is for you? Learn more with our pages on rock gardens. Or, if space is limited, plant up a crevice trough or alpine sink.

Gravel gardens can be planted fairly sparsely. It’s attractive to see the gravel between plants or clusters of plants and it is in these spaces that ground-hunting spiders can readily catch their prey. In a bigger area try adding in some larger stones or pebbles.

Incorporating a pool into the garden is a brilliant way of maximising the wildlife appeal of your gravel garden and will prove popular almost straight away. Dig out a shallow hole to an approximate depth of 30cm (1ft) in the centre with sloping sides. Like a normal pond, line it with a butyl liner with the edges buried around the sides in a trench or under large stones. Lay a thin layer of soil over the base and then a 5cm (2in) layer of 0.5-1cm (¼-1in) gravel or shingle, adding a few larger stones for variety. Then fill with water. Plant around the edges with damp-soil-loving plants like marsh marigolds and ragged robin. Alternatively, you can simply stand a stone dish or bird bath in the gravel, just not too close to plants from which cats might ambush wildlife.

Even cobbled areas give opportunities for mosses and small invertebrates to live. 

Discover more about gravel gardens. 

Suggested plants

Anthemis tinctoria (golden marguerite, ox-eye chamomile)
Erigeron (fleabane)
Eryngium giganteum 'Silver Ghost'
Ajuga reptans (bugle)
Primula vulgaris (primrose)
Digitalis purpurea (foxglove)
Origanum (marjoram)

They are host to many plants: tiny saxifrages sheltering in their crevices, heavy curtains of ivy sprawling across their backs, ferns and grasses tucked in at their feet and lichens and mosses studding their surfaces. Their central hollow is dry and snug and is home to everything from birds to shrews and slow-worms.

Some of us might be lucky and already have dry stone walls as boundaries, but for the majority of us, the easiest way of incorporating this habitat into our gardens is as walls around raised beds. If you’re not confident about doing this look around locally for a professional dry stone waller or, if you enjoy learning new skills, book yourself onto a course. Rocks and stones sourced locally blend better with the surroundings and the local soil.

Walls with a south-facing aspect will favour different plants and animals to one which is north-facing. There's no right or wrong but if you have opportunity to construct your dry stone wall with more than one aspect, this will give you maximum diversity.

Because the walls act as ‘corridors’ for wildlife, leave a strip of unmown grass on at least one side to provide more shelter.

For lots more recommended plants for dry stone walls, see our advice page.

Suggested plants

Erysimum cheiri (wallflower)
Centranthus ruber (red valerian)
Aubrieta (aubretia)
Arabis alpina subsp. caucasica (rock cress)
Aurinia saxitalis (gold dust)
Campanula carpatica (bellflower)
Cymbalaria muralis (ivy-leaved toadflax)

For the coastal garden the most important provision to make for wildlife is shelter. Some resilient trees and shrubs, once established as a windbreak will make all the difference to your visitors. Evergreen Griselinia littoralis, Elaeagnus, Escallonia, hebe and holly make handsome hedges, often with flower interest for pollinators. Alder, willow and tamarisk make excellent windbreaks. Living hedges take time to establish so why not begin with a ‘dead hedge’ made of driftwood. See our page on log piles and other dead wood habitats for tips on making a dead hedge.

As with rockeries and gravel gardens, stone is often a strong feature in coastal gardens, especially those located on the cliff edge or close to the shingle. Strong winds off the sea, however, make them less appealing for animals to bask on. Planting with salt tolerant plants such as sea thrift (Armeria maritima), sea holly (Eryngium maritimum), sea kale (Crambe maritima) and bladder campion (Silene vulgaris) will help offer some protection.

Piled up driftwood gathered from the beach makes snug homes for small creatures.

If you live by the coast, be inspired with our coast gardening tips and further planting suggestions.

Suggested plants

Silene vulgaris (bladder campion)
Armeria maritima (sea thrift, sea pink)
Fuchsia
Crataegus laevigata
Sorbus aucuparia (rowan, mountain ash)
Escallonia
Eryngium maritimum (sea holly)