Plant sunflowers and lavender to save garden species, says RSPB

Charity launches campaign to stem decline of species including starlings, bumblebees and hedgehogs

Plant sunflowers and lavender in your garden this spring to reverse the decline of previously common garden species, the RSPB has urged the British public.

The bird charity has launched a nature on your doorstep" campaign to highlight that UK gardens and balconies combined cover 4,000sq km, an area more than twice the size of Greater London. Together these connected habitats could help reverse the fortunes of species including starlings, bumblebees and hedgehogs.

Sunflowers - beautiful and easy to grow from seed, these classic flowers are great for pollinators and are a great food source for birds when they set seed.

Cornfield annuals - for just a couple of pounds you can have the glow of red poppies and blue cornflowers within weeks.

Mini-meadow - just let parts of your lawn grow for a few months, or even better until late summer, and be rewarded with drifts of clovers and other meadow flowers.

Lavender - the familiar lovely-smelling herb that's brilliant for bees and butterflies.

Foxgloves - tall purple, pink and white flowers that are bee magnets.