Biodiversity

Woodstock Gardens & Arboretum is proud of the extra efforts being made on the 50-acre site to improve biodiversity.

All of the trees here have been protected – we have one of the best collections of conifers in Europe. They are our main asset.

Over the past number of years, we have been watching our chemical usage. This has been reduced by 85% to 90%.

Invasive species control works are an ongoing maintenance activity. This, in turn, will allow the woodland ground layer, shrub layer and understory regenerate with native species.

We take a lot more care of trees that are damaged or diseased. If they fall in a storm, we now tend to leave them alone if they’re not in an area of high importance. That in itself provides a great habitat for more insects and fungi and everything.

The Accessibility and Inclusivity Enhancement Scheme (2025) included direct interventions that promote biodiversity to help reverse the decline of pollinating insects, which are not only vital for global food security but also in creating the biological foundation for all terrestrial ecosystems.

A portion of the croquet lawn is now left to grow for longer which provides a fantastic habit for wildlife and pollinators.

Two of the Winter Garden Quadrants have been planted with wild flower planting.

Bug hotels have been installed at various locations throughout the site.

This traditional Victorian garden would have featured lots of summer bedding. We’ve moved away from traditional planting of showy summer bedding to more herbaceous perennials that are more pollinator friendly, such as cat mint and echinacea, which is much better for insects like butterflies.