<p>Every hedge offers wildlife some benefit, but a handful of species go much further, doubling as a genuine larder and shelter for birds, bees, butterflies and small mammals. The varieties in this range have been chosen specifically for that reason: some produce nectar- and pollen-rich blossom in spring to feed pollinating insects, while others reward the garden with a generous harvest of berries and fruit come autumn, right when birds and mammals need it most.</p>
<p>For the biggest impact, mix as many different species together as you can. A hedge made up of several varieties offers a longer season of flowers and fruit, and a greater range of habitat, than a single-species hedge ever could, helping bring a wider variety of birds, insects and mammals into your garden. Planting wildlife friendly hedging like this is one of the simplest, most effective things a gardener can do to support conservation across the UK.</p>
<p>**A note on plant size:** alongside the height of each plant, we list its age, since the two don't always go hand in hand. Plants marked "1/1" are two years old, and where available, "1/2" marks older, three-year-old stock. It's easy to find plants online that match our heights but have been raised from seed in a single season — ours are grown on for longer to build a stronger root system, so they establish faster and give your new hedge a proper start. You may find cheaper elsewhere, but not better.</p>
<p>FAQs</p>
<p><strong>1. Isn't any hedge good for wildlife?</strong><br />Any hedge offers some benefit over a fence or bare boundary, providing shelter and nesting cover. But certain species go further, offering nectar and pollen-rich flowers for bees and butterflies in spring, or a reliable crop of berries and fruit for birds and small mammals in autumn. The varieties in this range have been chosen specifically for those extra benefits.</p>
<p><strong>2. Why should I plant a mix of species rather than just one?</strong><br />Different species flower and fruit at different times, so a mixed hedge provides food and shelter across a much longer season than a single variety could on its own. A varied hedge also supports a wider range of insects, birds and mammals, since different species favour different plants for feeding, nesting or cover.</p>
<p><strong>3. Which plants provide food for pollinators like bees and butterflies?</strong><br />Many of the native species in this range, including Hazel and Blackthorn, produce nectar and pollen-rich blossom early in the growing season, providing an important food source for bees and other pollinating insects at a time when little else is in flower.</p>
<p><strong>4. Which plants provide berries or fruit for birds and mammals in autumn?</strong><br />Species such as Blackthorn, Dog Rose, Crab Apple and Spindleberry all produce berries or fruit in autumn, giving birds and small mammals a valuable food source heading into the colder months.</p>
<p><strong>5. Can a wildlife friendly hedge still look tidy and well maintained?</strong><br />Yes. Wildlife friendly hedging can still be trimmed and shaped like any other hedge. Bear in mind that flowering and fruiting varieties will produce less blossom and fewer berries if cut hard every year, so a lighter trim, or cutting only every other year, will give the best results for both looks and wildlife value.</p>
<p><strong>6. How does planting a wildlife friendly hedge help UK conservation?</strong><br />Hedgerows are one of the UK's most important wildlife habitats, offering food, shelter and safe corridors for movement between larger areas of habitat. With hedgerow cover in decline nationally, planting even a small stretch of wildlife friendly hedge in a garden is a meaningful, practical way to support struggling bird, insect and mammal populations.</p>
<p><strong>7. What does the "1/1" and "1/2" size marking mean?</strong><br />These markings indicate the plant's age rather than just its height. "1/1" means the plant is two years old, while "1/2" (offered for some varieties) means it's three years old. Older plants of the same height as younger ones typically have a stronger, more established root system.</p>
<p><strong>8. Why does plant age matter as much as plant height?</strong><br />Two plants can be the same height but very different ages — a taller, younger plant raised quickly from seed may have a weaker root system than an older plant of the same size. A well-developed root system helps a hedge establish faster, so it starts providing food and shelter for wildlife sooner.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
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Wildlife friendly hedging plants
Every hedge offers wildlife some benefit, but a handful of species go much further, doubling as a genuine larder and shelter for birds, bees, butterflies and small mammals. The varieties in this range have been chosen specifically for that reason: some produce nectar- and pollen-rich blossom in spring to feed pollinating insects, while others reward the garden with a generous harvest of berries and fruit come autumn, right when birds and mammals need it most.
For the biggest impact, mix as many different species together as you can. A hedge made up of several varieties offers a longer season of flowers and fruit, and a greater range of habitat, than a single-species hedge ever could, helping bring a wider variety of birds, insects and mammals into your garden. Planting wildlife friendly hedging like this is one of the simplest, most effective things a gardener can do to support conservation across the UK.
**A note on plant size:** alongside the height of each plant, we list its age, since the two don't always go hand in hand. Plants marked "1/1" are two years old, and where available, "1/2" marks older, three-year-old stock. It's easy to find plants online that match our heights but have been raised from seed in a single season — ours are grown on for longer to build a stronger root system, so they establish faster and give your new hedge a proper start. You may find cheaper elsewhere, but not better.
FAQs
1. Isn't any hedge good for wildlife?
Any hedge offers some benefit over a fence or bare boundary, providing shelter and nesting cover. But certain species go further, offering nectar and pollen-rich flowers for bees and butterflies in spring, or a reliable crop of berries and fruit for birds and small mammals in autumn. The varieties in this range have been chosen specifically for those extra benefits.
2. Why should I plant a mix of species rather than just one?
Different species flower and fruit at different times, so a mixed hedge provides food and shelter across a much longer season than a single variety could on its own. A varied hedge also supports a wider range of insects, birds and mammals, since different species favour different plants for feeding, nesting or cover.
3. Which plants provide food for pollinators like bees and butterflies?
Many of the native species in this range, including Hazel and Blackthorn, produce nectar and pollen-rich blossom early in the growing season, providing an important food source for bees and other pollinating insects at a time when little else is in flower.
4. Which plants provide berries or fruit for birds and mammals in autumn?
Species such as Blackthorn, Dog Rose, Crab Apple and Spindleberry all produce berries or fruit in autumn, giving birds and small mammals a valuable food source heading into the colder months.
5. Can a wildlife friendly hedge still look tidy and well maintained?
Yes. Wildlife friendly hedging can still be trimmed and shaped like any other hedge. Bear in mind that flowering and fruiting varieties will produce less blossom and fewer berries if cut hard every year, so a lighter trim, or cutting only every other year, will give the best results for both looks and wildlife value.
6. How does planting a wildlife friendly hedge help UK conservation?
Hedgerows are one of the UK's most important wildlife habitats, offering food, shelter and safe corridors for movement between larger areas of habitat. With hedgerow cover in decline nationally, planting even a small stretch of wildlife friendly hedge in a garden is a meaningful, practical way to support struggling bird, insect and mammal populations.
7. What does the "1/1" and "1/2" size marking mean?
These markings indicate the plant's age rather than just its height. "1/1" means the plant is two years old, while "1/2" (offered for some varieties) means it's three years old. Older plants of the same height as younger ones typically have a stronger, more established root system.
8. Why does plant age matter as much as plant height?
Two plants can be the same height but very different ages — a taller, younger plant raised quickly from seed may have a weaker root system than an older plant of the same size. A well-developed root system helps a hedge establish faster, so it starts providing food and shelter for wildlife sooner.
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