How to make a hedge for wildlife

Hedges are an ideal option for a wildlife-friendly boundary over walls or fences especially when native trees and plants are being used. Hedges permit wildlife to move around between spaces and gardens and also provide food and breeding possibilities.

Hedges provide food by way of leaves, nectar-rich blooms, fruits, berries and seeds, they also make excellent places to hunt for predators looking for insect and other vertebrates. They can be used as natural windbreaks creating protected areas in the garden that are crucial for butterflies. They also provide shade zones, which expands the variety of habitats in the garden for wildlife as well as humans! The informal hedges and trees are more attractive than those that are cut regularly like privet, holly, and hawthorn are likely to produce fewer or no flowers or berries if they are kept in good shape.

Plants you choose:

Mixed Native trees and shrubs like hawthorn and field maple beech, blackthorn and holly create a perfect combination of hedge plants. Plant rambling plants like bramble, wild rose and honeysuckle in your hedge to provide more shade and food for wildlife.

Ivy is particularly useful for nesting birds, and blooms in autumn, when alternatives to nectar are accessible for insects. Help attract wildlife by making it big trees.

You can plant your hedges:

The ideal time to plant occurs between October and February however, do not plant in the ground that is frozen or waterlogged. Rooted plants that are bare and bare are less expensive however, be careful not to expose your roots for too long when you plant. When they're established ensure that the base of your plants free of the weeds by laying down a thick layer of mulch, or mats.

To create an indigenous hedge that is mixed, make sure to include three plants from the same species for 1 3 1/4 m (3 1/4 feet) together with two different species.

Keep your hedges in good shape:

Hedges shouldn't be cut until the end of winter or in early spring, so that wildlife can make the most of the fruits and insects that are available during winter.

In the spring Cut back the shrubs to 45-60cm (18-25 inch) over the soil. This encourages growth that is bushy.

Top tips

To ensure the safety of wildlife, the hedges of wildlife shouldn't be cut in the season of nesting (March through August). Make sure to trim parts of the hedge various intervals, so that there is always an unaffected area for wildlife.

The angle of your plants approximately 45 degrees when they are planted will assist to create an edging that isn't too thin at the base.