Insights
An interview with Pirmin Holdener was recently published in Tamedia’s news outlets. In the “Wir sind Zukunft” section, he explained how simple changes can transform our gardens and balconies into valuable habitats that support biodiversity. Read the full interview here:
Biodiversity in Switzerland is under pressure. But part of the solution is right outside our doors: gardens and balconies can provide valuable habitats for plants, insects, and other organisms. Landscape gardener and nature garden designer Pirmin Holdener explains how. In this interview, he talks about why a thriving garden doesn’t have to be perfect, the role old trees play, and how even small changes can promote biodiversity.
Most people want a low-maintenance garden. That’s why familiar features like lawns and neatly trimmed hedges tend to dominate. In a nature garden, plants that would be removed from other gardens for not fitting the design are allowed to grow. But that doesn’t mean letting the garden run wild without purpose or a plan. A nature garden is built on trust—in the gardener or in nature itself. The art isn’t in controlling everything; it’s in knowing when to let go.
We talk about controlled wilderness—or, more accurately, natural dynamics. Of course, a garden can still have a lawn—why not? But daisies, clover, and other wildflowers can grow in it, too. And the edges of the lawn don’t have to be trimmed to the millimeter all year round.
Branches, fallen leaves, and dead plant stems look untidy to many people. But they’re essential to the survival of insects, fungi, and many other organisms. What looks like chaos to us creates valuable habitats. That’s why not every area should be cut back to the last blade of grass. Leaving parts of a meadow or individual perennials standing through the winter creates important refuges for wildlife. Butterfly eggs and wild bee larvae, for example, overwinter in dead stems. These areas don’t need to be right next to the patio, but every nature-friendly garden should have a place for them.
Yes, absolutely. This shift in thinking is already underway, especially in cities. Biodiversity is often higher there than in the countryside, where many people still believe everything has to be controlled and kept picture-perfect. A beautiful garden doesn’t have to be perfectly tidy and controlled down to the last detail. Beauty can also be found in diversity, vitality, and a natural look.
The question is: who decides what counts as a weed? People do! These days, we’re more likely to call them “wild plants.” A daisy is considered a weed in a perfectly manicured sports field, but it’s welcome in a wildflower meadow. Of course, there are invasive species that can cause problems. But most plants serve a purpose in the ecosystem.
Old trees have qualities that young trees can’t replace. Their broad canopy alone shapes the microclimate and provides habitats for birds, insects, fungi, and many other organisms. So you can’t simply replace one old tree with lots of young ones.
You don’t have to transform the whole garden at once. Often, even small changes can make a difference. It’s a good idea to encourage plants that offer ecological benefits and provide food or habitat for insects. Forsythia is one example. It’s been bred mainly for its showy flowers and offers little value to biodiversity. It provides no nectar, little usable food for insects, and generally doesn’t produce fruit for birds, either. Native shrubs and wildflowers are much more valuable ecologically.
A balcony is perfect for herbs, tomatoes, and other edible plants. To support biodiversity, you could also plant borage, nasturtiums, sage, oregano, or even artichokes. These plants aren’t just edible; they also bloom beautifully and provide valuable food for wild bees, butterflies, and many other insects. That’s an ideal way to combine usefulness with biodiversity.
Let go of the idea that everything in the garden has to be perfect all the time. Learn to recognize when to let go. Beauty comes not only from order, but also from vitality and diversity.
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