Dragonfly-Friendly Gardening features information on how these lovely creatures are vital to our ecosystem, and you’ll also learn about their stunning colours and phenomenal flying abilities. Transform your garden not just for native wildlife, but to protect the planet for all creatures, and enjoy a relaxing respite from everyday life, by watching dragonflies and damselflies go about their day.
Preserving our wetlands is the best way to help dragonflies. Or if safe to do so, garden ponds with sloping sides for wildlife are the next best alternatives (avoid netting as it can trap birds and wildlife). Also learn how to make your garden safe for pets (some pond plants are unsafe near animal friends).
Dragonflies are the most amazing insects: they can hover, spin on their own axis, fly backwards and travel enormous distances. Each of their four wings can operate independently. They don’t sting, come in all sorts of colour and eat insects that may harm us.
Huge amounts of dragonfly habitat have disappeared in the last 400 years. In East Anglia in 1637 there were 3,380 square kilometres of wetland. If you’re a dragonfly, wetland means home. In 1986 there were just 10 square kilometres left. This is why I’m not in favour of peat-based compost, as it almost certainly comes from land that used to be dragonfly habitat.
Ruary Mackenzie Dodds is one of England’s leading experts on dragonflies, who established Europe’s first dragonfly sanctuary, and often shares his expertise on radio and BBC Springwatch.
Ruary is the greatest ambassador these insects have. One of Britain’s greatest living naturalists. Chris Packham
