Stop! Before you drain away recent rain from your wet, boggy garden, consider using it to your advantage. Winter is the perfect time to create a stunning native wetland and attract native and introduced birds back to your garden.
No matter the size of your garden, says our garden expert, any garden can be made appealing to wildlife.
"The brilliant thing about planting natives is their ability to thrive in areas of high rainfall and their hardy tolerance to a variety of conditions," says Henri Ham of Awapuni Nurseries.
"They will flourish and prosper with little to no extra care if planted in the right location."
Henri suggests anyone keen to get ideas for new native plantings should try a bush walk for inspiration.
However, for those who are new to gardening, he advises planting cordyline (a type of cabbage tree), phormium (flax), carex, libertia, kowhai, karaka, chinachloa (toi toi) or Astellia.
"The flaxes, kowhai, karakas and cabbage trees are great at attracting birds keen to sample nectar, berries and flowers. The other plants provide terrific ground cover.
"By planting the natives in 'drifts', which are groups of uneven numbers of plants, you can create a random and natural looking native garden.
Henri recommends planting all the natives at least one metre apart as cabbage trees and karakas can grow between two and four metres high.
Natives enjoy a rich soil, so cover the area with mulch and a variety of large stones to retain moisture during dry spells and prevent weeds growing.
Fertilising with Nitrophoska Blue will also help to provide the soil with balanced nutrients.
The trees will take two to three years to reach maturity so to provide colour, warmth and additional food for wildlife while your garden is maturing and during the winter, Henri also recommends planting annuals and perennials.
Awapuni's seedling and established plant range have several varieties that are perfect for planting in moist areas. These include polemonium, monarda, wallflower, english daisy (rominette), nemiesia, lobelia, cineraria, aquilega, polyanthus and primula.
"Some birds will only visit seasonally and others may stay as permanent residents. It all depends on creating a year round food source and making sure the area is free of predators such as rats and cats.
"If you want to attract birds to your garden while your plants are still developing, we recommend providing them with some additional food.
"Make a hook out of a wire coat hanger, stab on to it an apple or ball of honey and bird seed, and hang in a tree.
"This should attract a variety of wildlife including bell birds, fantails, black birds, tuis and other common garden birds - especially during this cold weather when there are limited food sources available."
