Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Sunday, Aug 31, 2025

Garden expert reveals how to create a biodiverse space on a city-center balcony

Garden expert reveals how to create a biodiverse space on a city-center balcony

It is possible to create a biodiverse garden on your balcony or terrace – this expert shows us how it’s done

The appeal behind a biodiverse garden is unending – these spaces not only benefit the local habitat but our wellbeing, too. However, just because you live in a small urban area doesn’t mean you need to miss out on all the fun.

Cue Frances Tophill, the celebrity garden expert and TV presenter, bringing biodiversity to modern gardens of all sizes – from a lush country patch to a small window balcony overlooking the cityscape. In an exclusive interview with Livingetc, Frances revealed how to create a biodiverse space in a small urban apartment – and we’re rushing to follow her ingenious advice.

How do we create a biodiverse space in a small urban apartment?




‘In urban areas, there are so many little gardens - whether it’s a balcony or a windowsill or a tiny little courtyard. So, there is a real opportunity for people to make a massive difference to wildlife survival,’ Frances begins.

‘You have to think of your little garden being a part of a larger habitat. Your garden could be a tiny patch, but if your neighbors are doing it, then you end up with a whole host of little gardens where the wildlife can find a haven,’ she adds.

So what steps can we take as individuals to makes sure we're contributing to this larger habitat from our city center balconies?

Use your vertical space




‘Use the vertical space. Grow climbers, especially things that are good for pollinators and good for nectar, such as honeysuckle or passion flowers. Maybe even some spikes or very thin hedge plants that you can tie in that give the birds a nest where they are safe from cats and dogs,’ Frances shares.

Introduce water wherever possible


Perhaps the quickest way to promote biodiversity is bringing in water that will particularly make a difference for the birds who will have a space to wash and drink. ‘Everything needs water to survive. The crucial thing about bringing water in is that loads of insects have part of their life cycle under the water.'

'You will really increase the amount of wildlife and different species that you can cater for in your garden,' she adds.



Choose your plants wisely


‘With everything that you’re planting, make sure you’re thinking about how it will benefit the wildlife,’ Frances explains. ‘Never choose bedded plants that have double flowers because they are infertile. Always make sure that you’re picking plants that have accessible nectar because, in a small space, every single plant counts.'

‘Choose things like climbing roses, which is a really nice thing to do in a wildlife-friendly small garden, because they grow vertically and have a few spikes which can provide nesting for birds. Make sure you choose roses that grow rose hips in the winter. On a small scale, every single plant that you choose counts,’ Frances adds.



Now we have no excuse not to embrace the wild side – wherever we are.


Feeling inspired? Frances has teamed up with Weleda - the original green beauty brand - to encourage people to reconnect with nature and support biodiversity through its #GetGreenFingers campaign. For more information, visit their website.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Israeli Airstrike in Yemen Kills Houthi Prime Minister
After the Shock of Defeat, Iranians Yearn for Change
YouTube Altered Content by Artificial Intelligence – Without Permission
Iran Faces Escalating Water Crisis as Protests Spread
More Than Half a Million Evacuated as Typhoon Kajiki Heads for Vietnam
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Dogfights in the Skies: Airbus on Track to Overtake Boeing and Claim Aviation Supremacy
Tim Cook Promises an AI Revolution at Apple: "One of the Most Significant Technologies of Our Generation"
Are AI Data Centres the Infrastructure of the Future or the Next Crisis?
Miles Worth Billions: How Airlines Generate Huge Profits
Zelenskyy Returns to White House Flanked by European Allies as Trump Pressures Land-Swap Deal with Putin
Beijing is moving into gold and other assets, diversifying away from the dollar
Trump Backs Putin’s Land-for-Peace Proposal Amid Kyiv’s Rejection
Zelenskyy to Visit Washington after Trump–Putin Summit Yields No Agreement
Iranian Protection Offers Chinese Vehicle Shipments a Cost Advantage over Japanese and Korean Makers
United States Sells Luxury Yacht Amadea, Valued at Approximately $325 Million, in First Sale of a Seized Russian Yacht Since the Invasion of Ukraine
Saudi Arabia accelerates renewables to curb domestic oil use
Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez announce engagement
Asia-Pacific dominates world’s busiest flight routes, with South Korea’s Jeju–Seoul corridor leading global rankings
Private Welsh island with 19th-century fort listed for sale at over £3 million
Sam Altman challenges Elon Musk with plans for Neuralink rival
Australia to Recognize the State of Palestine at UN Assembly
The Collapse of the Programmer Dream: AI Experts Now the Real High-Earners
Armenia and Azerbaijan to Sign US-Brokered Framework Agreement for Nakhchivan Corridor
British Labour Government Utilizes Counter-Terrorism Tools for Social Media Monitoring Against Legitimate Critics
WhatsApp Deletes 6.8 Million Scam Accounts Amid Rising Global Fraud
Texas Residents Face Water Restrictions While AI Data Centers Consume Millions of Gallons
India Rejects U.S. Tariff Threat, Defends Russian Oil Purchases
United States Establishes Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and Digital Asset Stockpile
Thousands of Private ChatGPT Conversations Accidentally Indexed by Google
China Tightens Mineral Controls, Curtailing Critical Inputs for Western Defence Contractors
JPMorgan and Coinbase Unveil Partnership to Let Chase Cardholders Buy Crypto Directly
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Germany’s Economic Breakdown and the Return of Militarization: From Industrial Collapse to a New Offensive Strategy
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
President Trump Diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency After Leg Swelling
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
×