Hello! I’m Kelly, and I’m one of the horticulturists at Chester Zoo
I help care for the zoo’s green spaces and ensure they’re thriving with sustainability in mind. Here’s a little bit about my role and how we can all make our gardens more wildlife-friendly!
I’ve been working in horticulture for over ten years, and I’ve spent three of those here at the zoo. When I think about the best part of my job, it’s definitely the Projects team! We truly are a work family, and that sense of collaboration makes everything we do so rewarding.
A typical day for me changes with the seasons, but right now with summer here, a lot of my time is spent on lawn care, cutting hedges, watering newly-seeded areas, and pruning spots that have become a bit unruly. It’s all about keeping the zoo’s green spaces looking beautiful and ensuring the plants thrive in the warmer months.
The zoo is now fully in bloom for the summer; come and explore acres of stunning gardens between meeting our wonderful animals!
Here are some of the most interesting and unique plants at the zoo
See if you can find these on your next visit.
In many parts of the UK. the native black poplar survives almost entirely as a single female clone (known as the “King’s Poplar”).
This ornamental deciduous tree has slender, bean–like pods. You can see it at Islands, near the tree kangaroos.
A rare beauty! This Himalayan plant flowers once a year with large white flowers that resemble hankies swaying in the breeze.
These trees grow on inaccessible cliffs. with only 315 left in the wild. We're growing them in our nurseries for planting in North Wales.
How plants play a huge role in supporting animal wellbeing
One of the big things we do is gather animal enrichment from our tree work. Nothing usable goes to waste. We’re very careful to ensure that any brash or branches we use are uncontaminated, and consider which species different animals can have based on their health needs - some of them are just picky eaters though!
Oak is a rare treat for animals like the rhino. Pyracantha is another favourite, though I’d hesitate to try it myself with all those sharp thorns! We also provide perching for the birds and parrots, and the bigger and gnarlier the branches, the better. It’s much better for them to have branches they can gnaw on, rather than machine-cut timber.
How to make your garden more wildlife-friendly
Let it grow! Leave some wild areas, even if it's just a narrow border around your lawn. Long grass is a rare habitat, so even if you can reduce mowing certain areas once every four weeks, it can make a huge difference. Be sure to leave enough space for a good picnic area so you can enjoy your outdoor space!
If you are able, pop a hole in the fence so species such as hedgehogs and frogs can travel between gardens.
Here are some pollinator-friendly plants:
Verbena bonariensis are in flower for an extended period - longer for pollinators to enjoy them!
Cut back after flowers fade for a second flush of these stunning purple, ball-shaped flowers.
These keep the pollinators happy and gives you produce to use in your next home-cooked meal.
Known as the "butterfly bush", buddleia davidii is an excellent pollinator, but they can be invasive self-feeders, so watch out!
How we keep the plants healthy in the hotter, drier months
We do our best to protect our trees and lawns by running sprinklers early in the morning before the zoo opens, and by aerating the lawns to reduce compaction.
The heavy footfall from visitors, especially around trees or lawns, can cause long-term damage to the roots, which is something we constantly monitor. The big cedar tree near The Oakfield is heavily compacted underfoot, so we water the tree directly, not the grass underneath. Unfortunately, irregular weather patterns caused by climate change are throwing off our trees’ natural cycles.
The cedar will shed its leaves as a survival tactic after extreme heat or drought.
Lots of plants at the zoo have surprising connections to animal species
One of my favorite finds in the Tropical Realm is frogs using bromeliads as nurseries. In our nursery, we grow bromeliads whose leaf cups collect rainwater—frog species lay eggs there, and tadpoles develop safely, some completing their entire lifecycle in a single plant. Next time you visit, peek into those cups—you might spot tiny frogs!
