This was set up in the Forest Church lower rectory garden in 2008 and was blessed by Rev Linda Le Vasseur. The area was prepared by volunteers with bark chippings laid on the paths.  Frog spawn was placed in the small pond and flowering plants and bulbs spread around to give the feel of a wild life garden.

The garden is open to the public at all times. There is a litter bin for rubbish and a bench where one can sit in quiet contemplation and read "The Book of Calm". Over time the trees have grown and the ivy spread, brambles and nettles are welcome for the insects but need to be cut back twice a year and the stream cleared twice a year of false watercress. If you have time to spare or any expertise in gardening your help will be welcomed.

We have added a pollinator patch, a bug hotel, a bee hotel and bird boxes.

Below is a guide compiled by Vivienne Rees to some of the many wild flowers that have made their home in our wildlife spot, together with their names in Guernsey French.

COMMON HORSETAIL

Latin: Equisetum arvense

Guernsey French: Coue d’Rat (rat’s tail)

CREEPING BUTTERCUP

Latin: Ranunculus repens

Guernsey French: Pid d’Llaön Lattai

COMMON DOG VIOLET

Latin: Viola riviniana

Guernsey French: Coucou (cuckoo)

BOREAU’S FUMITORY/WHITE RAMPING FUMITORY

Latin: Fumaria muralis/Fumaria capreolata

Guernsey French: Feumeterre (smoke of the earth)

COMMON PENNYCRESS

Latin Thlaspi arvense

Guernsey French: Moutardier (mustard herb)

SHEPHERD'S PURSE

Latin: Capsella Bursa-pastoris

Guernsey French: Pid d’Mouisson

LORDS AND LADIES

Latin: Arum maculatum

Guernsey French: Couaille de Prêtre (pulpit)

PRIMROSE

Latin: Primula vulgaris

Guernsey French: Pâquerolle (Easter flower)

FOXGLOVE

Latin: Digitalis purpurea

Guernsey French: Cllatchets (little bells)

DANDELION

Latin: Taraxacum

Guernsey French: Plat Laiträon/Hôloges (fruits/clocks)

HEDGE WOUNDWORT

Latin: Stachys sylvatica

Guernsey French: Ortie puante (stinking)

SMALL NETTLE

Latin: Urtica urens

Guernsey French: Petite Ortie

STINGING NETTLE

Latin: Urtica dioica

Guernsey French: Grande Ortie

DAISY

Latin: Bellis perennis

Guernsey French: Berbiette

YARROW

Latin: Achillea Millefolium

Guernsey French: Tcherpentière

FUCHSIA

Latin: Fuchsia magellanica

Guernsey French: Patoreille (earrings, eardrops)

LESSER CELANDINE

Latin: Ranunculus L Ficaria

Guernsey French: Píssenllet

CAMPION (red & white - pink in Guernsey)

Latin: Silene dioica

Guernsey French: Violette d’Fossai

(hedge violet, soldier’s fleas)

(Research from Leicester University – There are some

white campion growing in shade on NE facing banks.

IVY

Latin: Hedera helix

Guernsey French: Yerre

ELDER

Latin: Sambucus nigra

Guernsey French: Seue

(often planted by dairy windows against witchcraft)

Note:  many plant names in Guernésiais are misleading as they refer to another species altogether which can be similar in colour or habit. E.g. Pissenllet – not a dandelion, but a celandine. Violette d’Fossai – not a violet but a campion, Ortie Puante – not a nettle but a stachys.