As wildlife habitats disappear, native hedges have become a powerful way to support nature right in your garden. By planting native species, you’ll create a living boundary that feeds, shelters, and sustains birds, pollinators, and mammals—while adding structure and beauty to your landscape. This guide shows how native hedges can turn your outdoor space into a haven for biodiversity.
Pro Tip
Even a short section of mixed native hedging can significantly boost your garden's biodiversity. If you can't replace an entire boundary, consider adding a small native hedge section or incorporating a few native species into an existing hedge.
Why Native Hedges Are a Biodiversity Game-Changer
Native hedge plants have co-evolved with British wildlife, forming unique partnerships that imported species can’t replicate. Here’s what makes them so valuable for your garden’s ecosystem:
- Co-evolved relationships - Native insects have adapted to feed on native plants, and native birds rely on these insects
- Extended flowering periods - Different native species flower at different times, providing continuous nectar sources
- Diverse food sources - Berries, nuts, seeds, and leaves feed different species throughout the seasons
- Structural diversity - Mixed native hedges create varied habitats at different heights and densities
- Climate resilience - Native species are adapted to local conditions and typically require less intervention
Native hedges provide essential food sources like berries for local wildlife
Wildlife You’ll Attract with Native Hedges
Planting a native hedge invites a remarkable diversity of creatures to your garden:
| Wildlife Group | How They Use Native Hedges | Key Species Supported |
|---|---|---|
| Birds | Nesting sites, shelter, berries, seeds, and insect hunting | Thrushes, finches, warblers, dunnocks, robins, wrens |
| Insects | Food from leaves, nectar, pollen, and overwintering sites | Butterflies, bees, hoverflies, beetles, moths |
| Mammals | Travel corridors, shelter, nesting sites, food sources | Hedgehogs, dormice, field mice, voles, bats |
| Amphibians | Damp shelter, hunting grounds, hibernation sites | Frogs, toads, newts |
| Reptiles | Basking spots, shelter, hunting grounds | Slow worms, grass snakes, common lizards |
Best Native Hedge Species for UK Gardens
These UK-native hedge plants deliver outstanding benefits for wildlife and look stunning as garden boundaries:
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
The wildlife champion of hedgerows
Wildlife Value:
- Supports over 300 insect species
- White spring flowers attract pollinators
- Red autumn berries (haws) feed birds through winter
- Dense, thorny structure provides secure nesting sites
Growing Characteristics:
- Height: 1-4m when maintained as hedge
- Growth rate: Moderate (20-40cm per year)
- Tolerates most soil types, including clay
- Full sun to partial shade
- Deciduous but provides good structure year-round
Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)
Early-flowering wildlife haven
Wildlife Value:
- Very early white flowers (February-March) provide crucial nectar for emerging insects
- Host plant for numerous butterfly and moth species
- Blue-black sloes provide autumn and winter bird food
- Extremely dense, thorny growth offers excellent nesting protection
Growing Characteristics:
- Height: 1-3m as hedge
- Growth rate: Slow to moderate (15-30cm per year)
- Adaptable to most soils, including poor conditions
- Full sun preferred
- Can spread by suckering if not managed
Field Maple (Acer campestre)
Colorful structure provider
Wildlife Value:
- Supports numerous aphid species, which in turn feed birds and ladybirds
- Spring flowers provide nectar for insects
- Winged seeds (samaras) feed birds and small mammals
- Excellent autumn color adds garden interest
Growing Characteristics:
- Height: 2-5m as hedge
- Growth rate: Moderate (20-40cm per year)
- Tolerates most soils, including alkaline
- Full sun to partial shade
- Responds well to trimming
Hazel (Corylus avellana)
Early catkins and nutritious nuts
Wildlife Value:
- Early yellow catkins (January-February) provide pollen for bees
- Hazelnuts are valuable food for small mammals and birds
- Leaves support numerous moth caterpillars
- Coppices well, creating varied structure
Growing Characteristics:
- Height: 2-4m as hedge
- Growth rate: Moderate to fast (30-60cm per year)
- Prefers moist, well-drained soil
- Partial shade to full sun
- Responds very well to coppicing and rejuvenation
Dog Rose (Rosa canina)
Summer flowers and autumn hips
Wildlife Value:
- Pink-white summer flowers attract numerous pollinators
- Red rose hips persist through winter, feeding birds
- Thorny stems provide protected nesting sites
- Supports specific mining bees and leaf-cutter bees
Growing Characteristics:
- Height: 1.5-2.5m as hedge
- Growth rate: Moderate (20-40cm per year)
- Adaptable to most soils
- Full sun preferred for best flowering
- Can be vigorous, requiring regular management
Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Evergreen structure with winter berries
Wildlife Value:
- Evergreen leaves provide year-round shelter
- Red berries on female plants feed birds in winter
- White spring flowers attract pollinators
- Dense growth offers excellent nesting opportunities
Growing Characteristics:
- Height: 2-4m as hedge
- Growth rate: Slow (10-20cm per year)
- Prefers well-drained soil
- Tolerates shade well
- Plant both male and female plants for berries
Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus)
Spectacular flowers and berries
Wildlife Value:
- Large white flower clusters attract numerous pollinators
- Translucent red berries feed birds through autumn
- Leaves support moth caterpillars
- Adds spectacular autumn color to hedgerows
Growing Characteristics:
- Height: 2-4m as hedge
- Growth rate: Moderate (20-40cm per year)
- Prefers moist soil conditions
- Full sun to partial shade
- Deciduous with excellent seasonal interest
How to Plant a Mixed Native Hedge for Maximum Biodiversity
For the richest wildlife habitat, plant a mix of native species instead of a single type. Here’s how to design a diverse, nature-friendly hedge:
Planning Your Native Hedge
- Choose 5-7 species from the list above, selecting for your soil conditions and space
- Include at least 50% thorny species (hawthorn, blackthorn) for nesting protection
- Add one evergreen component (holly) for winter shelter
- Consider seasonal progression - include early, mid, and late flowering species
- Plan for berries and fruits that ripen at different times
Planting Arrangement
There are two main approaches to planting a mixed native hedge:
- Random mix: Plants are placed in a random pattern, mimicking natural hedgerows
- Group planting: Small groups of 3-5 plants of the same species are planted together
For most garden situations, a random mix works well, but group planting can create more visual impact when flowering.
Planting Density and Spacing
For a dense, wildlife-friendly hedge:
- Plant in a staggered double row
- Space plants 30-45cm apart within rows
- Leave 40-50cm between rows
- Use 5-6 plants per meter for a dense hedge
Suggested Planting Mix for a 5-Meter Hedge
- 10 Hawthorn - Main structural component (40%)
- 5 Blackthorn - Early flowers and dense protection (20%)
- 3 Field Maple - Height variation and autumn color (12%)
- 3 Hazel - Early catkins and nuts (12%)
- 2 Dog Rose - Summer flowers and autumn hips (8%)
- 2 Holly - Evergreen component and winter berries (8%)
Total: 25 plants for a 5-meter double-row hedge
How to Care for a Wildlife-Friendly Hedge
How you trim and manage your hedge makes a huge difference for wildlife:
Wildlife-Friendly Trimming Schedule
Follow these guidelines to maximize wildlife benefit:
- Avoid cutting between March and August to protect nesting birds (legal requirement under Wildlife and Countryside Act)
- Trim in late winter (January-February) after birds have eaten the berries but before nesting begins
- Consider cutting in rotation - trim different sections in alternate years
- Cut less frequently than formal hedges - once every 1-2 years is often sufficient
Cutting Technique
The shape of your hedge affects its wildlife value:
- Aim for an 'A' shape - wider at the base than the top
- Leave some areas slightly looser than others
- Vary the height along the length for structural diversity
- Allow occasional trees to develop within the hedge line
Ground Management
The area at the base of your hedge is also important for wildlife:
- Leave a strip of long grass (at least 50cm) at the hedge base
- Allow some wildflowers to grow along the hedge bottom
- Avoid chemical herbicides near the hedge
- Consider creating log piles or stone piles at intervals along the hedge
Boosting Biodiversity in Your Existing Hedge
Already have a hedge? You can still make it more wildlife-friendly with these easy strategies:
- Gap planting - Add native species to fill gaps in existing hedges
- Layering - Allow climbers like honeysuckle to grow through the hedge
- Underplanting - Add shade-tolerant native shrubs beneath taller hedges
- Adjacent planting - Create a native shrub border alongside an existing hedge
- Gradual replacement - Systematically replace sections with native species over time
Conclusion: Make Your Garden a Wildlife Haven
Native hedges are one of the simplest, most effective ways to boost biodiversity in your garden. By choosing a variety of local species and following wildlife-friendly care tips, you’ll create a living fence that’s beautiful, resilient, and vital for nature.
Every native hedge planted or improved helps strengthen the web of life in your neighbourhood and beyond. You’ll be supporting pollinators, birds, and mammals—while enjoying a vibrant, ever-changing garden.
Want to create a wildlife-friendly hedge in Cheshire? Our local experts can help you choose, plant, and care for the perfect mix of native species for your garden.
