The Best Natural Hedging Options
Planting a natural hedge will be one of the best gardening decisions you can make. They provide year-round beauty and interest and support a thriving biodiversity through their flowers, fruits and seeds.
They will transform your garden and create a welcoming barrier of privacy and security. From Holly to Beech, you will be grabbing your hedge trimmer battery charges and jumping right in.
Why Plant Natural Hedging?
Planting a natural hedge provides your garden year-round beauty, structure and interest. Whether it is an evergreen or deciduous species, the border can look appealing, from the bare twigs of winter to the lush foliage and delicious fruits of the warmer months.
It provides cheap and easy privacy with natural screening, and some varieties, like the holly hedge, can add an extra layer of security by deterring unwanted guests.
They are essential for wildlife and often act as vital food sources and nesting grounds for various insects, birds and small animals, particularly during the harsh winter months.
If you are an avid cook, the delicious fruits are ideal for making homemade jam, jellies preserves, sloe gin and flavoured vodka.
Tips for Successful Growth
If you plan to plant a deciduous hedge, do so in mid-autumn to late winter. Evergreen hedges should be planted in autumn only. If the ground is frozen or waterlogged, you should delay planting until the conditions are more favourable.
As much as possible, avoid planting your hedge under existing trees. The lack of sun and reduced water consumption can negatively affect its ability to grow. Space your plants 30cm apart, which is made more accessible if you dig a trench instead of individual holes. Zigzag them in a double row 40cm apart for a thicker hedge.
Ensure you remove weeds often, water after the initial planting and only when you are experiencing long dry spells, where it will be necessary to saturate the ground for maximum absorption—and finally, maintain regular trimming to ensure long-term growth and maintenance.
Top Hedges to Pick
If you have been inspired to start planting your own hedges, it is best to research the right choice for your environment, weather patterns and seasonal needs. But whether you opt for an evergreen or deciduous tree, there are plenty of great species from which to choose.
Beech
Beech is a plant species perfectly suited for life as a hedgerow. It is a fast-growing, deciduous variety, making it ideal for screening and privacy. During autumn and winter, the curled edges of the glossy green leaves turn a warm copper colour.
It is a haven for wildlife, providing a thriving environment for nearly 100 different insects, like various caterpillars and olive crescent moths. In addition, mice, squirrels, and birds eat the seeds.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn is considered a hedgerow classic. And this resilient native tree is one of the prettiest varieties you can get. Come May, you will be treated to whimsical clouds of creamy and pink-tinged blossoms that give way to ruby red berries during the summer months.
Like most hedgerows, Hawthorn provides vital food and shelter to a large number of wildlife species. During winter time, birds rely on berries and use the dense, thorny growth as protection for nesting.
Yew
Yew is an evergreen species with needle-shaped leaves and seeds found in a red, berry-like pod. Unlike most other hedges, the yew is particularly popular with wildlife in winter. The hedge itself can be easily shaped and layers nicely with different hedge varieties or as a backdrop to flower beds.
Many birds, squirrels and dormice eat the seed covering, while finch birds eat the seed. In addition, the leaves are a good food source for caterpillars. Finally, the dense foliage protects nesting birds and other invertebrates.
Blackthorn
This densely branched shrub is ideal for hedging. In early spring, you will be treated to an array of white blossoms that are soon replaced by beautiful purple-black fruits once summer rolls around. It is a deciduous variety and thrives on direct sunlight.
Blackthrown is a popular choice amongst wildlife too. Over 100 different insects feed upon it throughout the year, and the fruit is an important food source for birds and small mammals during autumn and winter. In addition, because it blooms so early during the year, it acts as a good source of nectar for bees and other pollinators.
Holly
If you want a hedge species that will offer privacy and a level of security, holly is the perfect choice to satisfy both needs. As a bushy evergreen, the leaves are prickly enough to deter unwanted visitors who may enter your garden.
Holy flowers appear during April and May, providing a valuable nectar source. In addition, the berries are eaten by a wide variety of birds, and the fallen leaves that gather underneath the bush are used by hibernating hedgehogs and other mammals.
Box
If you want to create a border hedge that is low-level and easier to manage, box will be a fantastic choice. It is a slow-growing, evergreen species that can be clipped and trained into elaborate topiary shapes for those more creative.
During April and May, you will notice small yellow flowers start to bloom, offering a vital food source for bees while providing a sheltered habitat for small birds, mammals and various invertebrates.
Hornbeam
If your property is exposed to the elements, you will be after something versatile and rugged that can withstand harsh weather. Hornbeam hedges are a dense, extra-tough alternative to a beech hedge, offering year-round interest with their foliage.
During spring, you will notice small clusters of flowers known as catkins start to spring up, which will later be replaced by winged fruit come summertime. It is the perfect habitat and food source for many different insects, small mammals and bird varieties.
