INNER-CITY ISLANDS

The birds and the bees need safe, green spaces to survive and thrive in the urban jungle. Here's how you can help...

- AMY LEHNER

It can be hard to surround yourself with greenery when you live in the city - but vertical gardens, hanging plants and balcony planters are definitely worth the effort, especially if they're designed to attract the birds and the bees.

Both of these creatures are essential to biodiversity, as they pollinate flowers, spread seeds and keep pesky insects under control. Omnivorous birds will help with your gardening by aerating the soil as they dig for snacks. Bees, in particular, are vitally important pollinators of many of the crops that we eat - from cabbages to cashews, and everything inbetween.

What to plant

Select your trees and shrubs carefully to provide birds with food and somewhere to perch or nest. To attract bees, opt for sweet smells and bright colours; bees can smell scented flowers from far away, allowing them to zone in on their target. Once they get a little closer, the bees are drawn to brightly coloured flowers. Their favourite is violet, with blue, yellow and white also getting their stamp of approval.

It's best to grow indigenous plants if you can. Not only are they specially suited to our climate, but they're also adapted to the needs of the local creatures. For example, tubular flowers such as ericas tend to attract sunbirds, which use their long curved beaks to reach the nectar inside.