We have been asked on twitter to give advice on native plants suitable for the small garden. Here are a few suggestions of native plants that could be planted in the garden.
Bell Heather - erica cinerea. Needs an acid or peaty soil - there are some areas around Lincoln which do have acid soils where this will do well. However its not suitable for the chalky soils up on the cliff edge. If in doubt we can advise on how to test your soil
Heather - Calluna vulgaris. Again needs an acid soil. There are very many cultivars to choose from as well.
Burnet rose - Rosa pimpinellifolia - White flowers creating charming patches of colour in the garden, but can be invasive.
Dyers Greenwood - Genista tinctoria - A deciduous shrub with yellow flowers in the summer. Does best on poor or dry soils.
Broad Buckler Fearn - Dryopteris dilata - Perennial fearn - does best under shade and damp positions
Golden Rod - Solidago virgaurea - bright yellow flowers. There is a compact alpine form variety cambrica that is ideal on rockeries, and taller forms for the herbacous border.
There are very many more wildflowers that can be grown in the garden. Many of course have modern hybrid forms as well, with larger flowers or different colours to the original natives.
For much more information on native plants suitable for the garden there is a very good database of native plants suitable for the garden. Follow this link http://tinyurl.com/8yrr5
Not all these plants will be found on garden centres but you will be able to find modern hybrids as well as wild flower seed. However there are many nurseries that will be able to supply wild flowers either as small plants (plugs) or as larger plants.
With acknowledgements to the Natural History Museum
