Protecting Wildlife for the Future

A V O N

TRUSTS

THEHedges for Wildlife

How to pick, plant and manage a wildlife-friendly hedge

Why have a plain ugly fence,when a green, living boundary canbring the riches of flowers, scent,berries, rich autumn colours andwildlife?

Yes, a hedge can be all that, andone made out of thorny specieswill deter uninvited guests too.

Hedges can define propertyboundaries, break the gardenup into rooms, act as awindbreak and can be evergreenor deciduous.

What is more, a thick hedge thatis not over-pruned will providehomes and food for many insects

and birds, who will shelter,hibernate and nest in it and feaston the flowers and berries.

Climbers can also add extra thickness and interest. This factsheet shows you how to createand maintain a wildlife-friendlyhedge.

Planting a hedge

Plant between November and March when the ground is notfrozen or covered with snow.

Prepare the site

Dig over your selected site, removing all weeds and roots. Next,mix in plenty of well rotted manure or other organic matter toprovide the new hedge with plenty of food. A soil with plenty oforganic matter will also hold more moisture and aid drainage.This will help prevent soils becoming waterlogged in winter andwill save you having to water the hedge so much in summer. Ifthe soil is heavy clay, add some grit and sand to improvedrainage further.

Planting the hedge

To achieve a thick hedge, it isadvisable to plant 5 plants permetre, in double staggeredrows (see diagram)

Mark out the rows with lines of string and dig a hole for eachplant or a trench. Place the plant in the hole (see note on backbuying plants) ensuring the roots hang straight. The plantshould be planted to the same depth as it was in the nursery. A slight change in colour will indicate the level, known as theroot collar.

Back fill with soil and gently firm in with the heel of your boot.Water well. If rabbits are present, protect each plant with a treeguard or erect a rabbit proof fence.

Ahedge with ivy

growing in it will helpwildlife

The benefits of Ivy a plant for allseasons

Being evergreen, ivy provides shelterfor over-wintering butterflies andinsects, as well as shelter for birdsescaping bad weather. In spring andsummer, birds will nest in it and duringautumn, the flowers and berries provide a vital late source of food formany insects and birds. The Holly Bluebutterfly will also lay its second batch ofeggs on it in autumn.

1 metre

ivy berries- R. Burkmar

Managing a hedge

WateringWater regularly during the first summer after planting.

Control weedsDuring the first 5 years after planting, remove any weed or grass growth.These will compete for water and nutrients and hinder the establishmentof the hedge. A layer of mulch will help suppress weeds and reduce theamount of weeding required.

First PruneIn the first spring, cut back the shrubs to 45-60cm above the ground. Thiswill encourage bushy growth resulting in a thicker hedge.

Replace dead plantsReplace any dead plants in autumn to prevent gaps forming in the hedge.

Long-term management for well established hedges

Yew hedgesIf it has outgrown its allocated space,prune one side hard back one year and theother side the following year. Never doboth sides at the same time as this couldkill the hedge.

Deciduous hedgesFor a thick hedge, prune each sidealternately, every 3 years betweenNovember and February. If possible, try tocut sections of hedge at different times,so there is always an undisturbed placefor wildlife. To promote a thick base, anglethe cut as shown in the diagram.

LayingIf a hedge has been neglected and it has grown tall and gappy, it can belaid. This will extend the life of the hedge and encourage thick growth atthe base. For more information on laying, please contact the Trust.

Add climbersOnce a hedge is established, climbers can be introduced to add extrathickness and interest. A thick hedge is better for nesting and providesmore shelter and food for wildlife. Climbers to try to include: Honeysuckle,Ivy, Old Mans Beard, White and Black Bryony.

Choosing your plants

The choice of plants is a personalone and depends on the effect youwish to achieve, for example, athorny, evergreen or deciduoushedge. It is beneficial to have asmany different species in a hedge asyou can. For a mixed native hedge tryto include three plants of the samespecies per metre with one each of twoother species.

Buying your plants

Hedge plants are normally sold as bare rooted whips(small plants up to 80cm.) These will establish betterthan large plants provided the roots do not dry out.The roots are very delicate and can be easily killed inno time at all by winds, frost, sun or snow. To preventthis happening, keep the whips in plastic bags up untilthe very moment they are planted. If the plants arrivebefore you are ready to plant them, heel them in asquickly as possible (as shown) to safeguard the roots.

X

X

XX

Holly Hawthorn Blackthorn

1 metre 1 metre 1 metre

Native Hedgerow Plants

Evergreen Added AttractionHolly * Berries, butterfly food plantYew BerriesJuniper Berries

Non-EvergreenHawthorn * Berries, flowersBlackthorn * Berries, flowersHazel NutsGuelder rose BerriesDog rose * Hips, flowersField rose * Hips, FlowersCrab apple Fruit, flowersGoat willow FlowersWild cherry Berries, flowersBird cherry Berries, flowersSpindle Berries, flowers

Non-native Hedgerow Plants for wildlife

Pyracantha * BerriesCotoneaster BerriesLavender FlowersHebe Autumn Glory Flowers

*thorny/spiky

Your contact details here

A Living LandscapeOur gardens represent a vast living landscape;and with an estimated 16 million gardens in theUK, the way they are managed can made a bigdifference to wildlife.Across gardens and beyond, The Wildlife Trustsvision to create A Living Landscape involvesenlarging, improving and joining-up areas ofwildlife-rich land in all parts of the UK. There arenow over 100 inspirational Living Landscapeschemes around the UK, rich in opportunities forsustainability, learning, better health andwellbeing. What is good for wildlife is good forpeople too.

For more information go towww.wildlifetrusts.org

Copyright The Wildlife Trusts 2009 Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts Registered Charity Number 207238

AVAILABLE IN OTHER FORMATS

blackthorn hedge

elderberries

photos - R. Burkmar