Creature Tower (Beestentoren)

Small gardens require optimal use of space. That's why Hans Carlier, a natural-garden designer in Zutphen, Holland, developed this useful and visually appealing tower in which a variety of animals can find a good home during all seasons.

The tower is built around a pole and has an underground home for hedgehogs. Hans says this lower space becomes a handy co-housing unit for toads, frogs and all manner of creeping creatures as well.

On top of this basement level, he made a pile of bricks and stone in which insects like bumblebees can make their nests. This is topped by rings of plywood with bundles of reeds in between to provide apartment space for other helpful insects.

The rings are covered with a table for winter feeding of birds, and the entire tower is topped by an attic where birds or bats can make their homes. The external walls of the avian apartments are covered with decorative rush matting. The crown on this elaborate, sculptural-looking tower is a bird bath, surrounded by drought-resistant sedum plants. Hans reports that, summer or winter, something interesting is always happening in and around his rustic critter tower.

For a view of Hans Carlier's gardens
keywords: hans carlier picasa tuinen

With your own creativity you can build with the help of your children similar constructions.

Gives this tower a sunny place. Not far from your home to watch the animals.

The more nectar and small fruits and nesting space in your garden the more animals will make their home in your garden.


 

Inside this barrel there is plenty of space for wooden birdhouses of any size.
Make it in that way that you can clean the birdnests yearly.

In between of the bricks pillar put some sawdust to attrack bumble bees they love it.

for advise please mail me: carlier@daxis.nl