Summerhill Wildlife Garden
A group of local residents started work in 2013, clearing an overgrown area that at one time had been
tennis courts, to create a haven for wildlife at the heart of Summerhill. Through the gate at the far side of
the bowling green, you will now discover a wide range of plants, mature trees and two well established
ponds, providing a variety of habitats to encourage insects, birds, frogs and more.
The garden is loosely divided into different areas, including annual wildflowers, perennials, culinary herbs
and woodland bulbs. The ponds are surrounded by bog plants, ferns and hostas. Around the garden
perimeter we have encouraged a mixed hedgerow with climbing plants including honeysuckle, quince,
clematis and even a grape vine.
The garden is maintained by a small team of volunteers and new members are always welcome. We
meet in the garden on Sundays from around 11am onwards and people can help out as often or as little
as they want. Equipment is provided and no previous gardening experience required!
When visiting the garden, please remember there are ponds and so children should be accompanied by
adults and, to avoid harming the plants and wildlife, dogs should be kept on leads.
Everyone is welcome to come in and enjoy the peaceful space and relax on one of our benches, on the
chamomile lawn or under the willow arbour. You will see regular visitors including goldfinches, tits (great,
blue, coal and long-tailed), greenfinches and our resident robins. During the warmer months the flower
beds will be buzzing with bees, butterflies and other insects and you’re likely to see frogs in the ponds or
undergrowth. And, if you’re still there at dusk, you might also catch a glimpse of common and soprano
pipistrelle bats.
The staff and volunteers at Summerhill Trust were sad to say goodbye to Paul Usherwood who passed away early in 2025.
Paul was a stalwart of the team of volunteers at Summerhill who meet weekly to tend to the outdoor spaces at the bowling club. He was particularly involved with developing and nurturing the Wildlife Garden and for many years led the team in developing the various habitats and encouraging local flora and fauna to flourish.
Paul's personality is very much entwined with the Wildlife Garden. He was dedicated to creating a space for nature at the heart of Summerhill that could be shared by everyone. His friends and colleagues here are keen to make sure the garden continues to receive the same level of care in his absence. He is greatly missed.
In honour of Paul's contribution to the garden we created, with help from our resident wood sculptor Neil Canavan, a large bug hotel which hangs pride of place on the garden wall.