Best Native Hedges for Biodiversity
Helping to enhance ecosystems with native hedgerows
Native plants are defined as those which naturally occur within a specific region, such as the UK. These plants are well adapted to the local climate, being able to handle the temperature, precipitation, and UV exposure of their surroundings. In addition, as they have co-evolved with native wildlife, such as invertebrates, birds, reptiles, and mammals, including them within your planting plan will produce greater environmental benefits.
Native hedging brings a source of food, such as berries, nuts, and leaves; shelter and nesting sites; and support for pollinators with flowers. A hedge that is made up of a mixture of native species is especially useful for biodiversity, as it can provide a multitude of benefits throughout the year, and support an entire ecosystem of co-existing species, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. Hedgerows in particular are vital for providing wildlife corridors, that help animals, such as hedgehogs and mice, to move between areas. Connecting habitats together is vital for introducing native wildlife to a newly planted green space. They often struggle to keep safe within open spaces, so hedgerows allow them to move from one habitat to another.
The role of native hedging in supporting ecosystem services reaches the microbial level, and these microbial communities support the health and growth of plants, as well as aid in their ability to cope with stress and potential diseases. Microbes make up a staggering 95% of the biodiversity on earth, and there are millions of different species. They are well adapted to their own environments – even extreme ones, such as hot springs and polar ice caps. A diverse microbial ecosystem can help to prevent the spread of disease, promote stress resistance, and stimulate germination and plant growth.
There are many plants that rely on microbes for symbiotic relationships, and an example of this is the relationship between plants and beneficial fungi, known as mycorrhizae. Plants use the process of photosynthesis to absorb excess sugars through their leaves, and send these sugars to their roots. Mycorrhizae extract these sugars from plants, and in return, will provide plants with valuable nutrients. The sugars provided by plants help to sustain mycorrhizae, and plants benefit from optimal growth and higher yields. To find out more about how symbiotic relationships benefit plants, take a look at our blog here.
Native deciduous hedges have leaf litter that eventually decomposes and enriches the soil beneath with nutrient-rich organic matter, and helps to keep it moist. Their extensive root systems improve the structure of the soil; this promotes the plant’s ability to retain water and prevents soil erosion, providing soil microbes with their ideal, stable environment. Another way in which native hedging helps soil microbes is with its ability to sequester carbon. Native hedges capture CO₂, which is transferred to the soil for microbes to utilise.
From a maintenance perspective, native hedges tend to look their best when left to display their natural form and colours, so thankfully, they don’t require as much maintenance as other ornamental equivalents. They do respond well to pruning, however, so they can be kept to a particular height if desired. Native hedges also come with less watering requirement, and are more resilient to pests – leading to less pest control and promoting a healthy ecosystem.
Hedge of Fagus sylvatica
Biodiversity Net Gain
To help protect and restore biodiversity in the UK, the Government has recently introduced new legislation for land development across England, known as Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). This legislation is a way of creating and improving natural habitats, by ensuring that developments have a measurably positive impact on biodiversity, when compared to the site pre-development. As part of this, a 10% net gain must be delivered, and the habitats should be maintained for at least thirty years. Biodiversity Net Gain was first introduced back in 2012, but was made mandatory for major developments from February 2024. With the new legislation, developers are required to demonstrate how their plans will increase the biodiversity value of each site.
It’s important to be mindful of biodiversity from the initial planning stage of projects, and try to retain as many existing habitats as possible. Avoiding harm to existing habitats is fundamental, as this will hugely affect the eventual BNG value. There are three options to achieve a biodiversity net gain, as units can be achieved on-site, off-site, or by purchasing credits, although, this should only be used as a last resort. BNG is measured using the Biodiversity Metric, and this measures and quantifies habitats into units. The number of units within a development will determine the impact it has on biodiversity. The metric includes habitat size, condition, location, and distinctiveness.
Mimicking real nature and habitats is important to consider within planning, with habitats such as wildflower meadows, ponds, and native hedgerows and trees. Trees can be planted individually, in lines, or in groups, and for every tree that’s planted, the habitat underneath its canopy is measured separately – resulting in additional biodiversity units. If you’d like more information on Biodiversity Net Gain, read our previous blog here.
Native hedging is an incredibly valuable resource to use in BNG developments, due to its ‘high distinctiveness’ habitat rating, particularly if combined with native trees. This means that the habitat is not only extremely beneficial for biodiversity, but is scarce across the country, making it important to create and preserve. As a result, it scores very highly on the BNG metric, and can be used to replace larger areas of land with a lower distinctiveness value.
Our native hedging recommendations
Carpinus betulus
Carpinus betulus
Commonly known as hornbeam, Carpinus betulus is a native deciduous species with ovate, toothed, green leaves which transform to yellow in autumn, with spring catkins which later turn into fruiting catkins.
This species grows around 20-40cm per year, and is ideal for maintaining at 1.5-5m in height. It makes an excellent formal hedge and can cope well in almost any well-drained soil and severe weather conditions.
Providing many benefits to biodiversity, Carpinus betulus supports at least 170 insect species, such as birds, small mammals, and the caterpillars of some micromoths. Being able to retain its leaves throughout the colder months of the year, Carpinus betulus is ideal for providing bird with a safe space for shelter and nesting.
Cornus sanguinea
Cornus sanguinea is an upright shrub with red-green stems and ovate, green leaves which transition to red in autumn. From spring to summer it produces clusters of white flowers, and black berries follow in autumn. Cornus sanguinea grows up to around three metres in height, but takes around five to ten years to reach this. This growth rate is ideal for hedging as it doesn’t need regular pruning to keep its shape and height.
Cornus sanguinea works well in most types of soil, but is particularly useful for chalky and wet areas. When planted in full sun, it will produce the brightest crimson winter bark; however, it can also cope with partial shade.
Providing a wealth of biodiversity benefits, Cornus sanguinea is an excellent food source for a range of wildlife, as case-bearer moths feed on its leaves, and many mammals and birds eat its berries.
Corylus avellana
Corylus avellana is a large deciduous shrub with green, rounded foliage that transitions to yellow in autumn. It blooms yellow catkins in spring, and edible nuts in autumn, making it ideal for providing interest throughout the year. Its dense foliage makes it an excellent plant for offering privacy and noise reduction.
Its rapid growth rate and minimal maintenance requirements make Corylus avellana well suited to informal hedging; it’s ideal for keeping between one to four metres in height and works well on its own or as part of a mixed species hedge. Corylus avellana copes well with full sun or partially shaded positions.
Wildlife benefit in a number of ways, including pollen, shelter, and food. The caterpillars of moths feast on its foliage, and many birds will use Corylus avellana for shelter. Dormice also eat its hazelnuts to prepare for hibernation.
Cornus sanguinea
Corylus avellana
Crataegus monogyna
Crataegus monogyna
A rounded, deciduous, thorny species that makes an excellent hedgerow. Crataegus monogyna has thorny branches which bear lobed, dark green leaves; these transition to gold in autumn. In late spring, Crataegus monogyna blooms single white, scented flowers, and these are followed by autumn red berries.
Crataegus monogyna supports a wide range of wildlife, including thrushes who feast on its fruit, and find ideal spots for nesting. Insects use its foliage and flowers as a food source. Otherwise known as hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna prefers full sun but tolerates most soil types. It can reach a height of around three metres, but can be easily maintained at 1.4-2.5m. Makes a great informal hedge, but can be trimmed to a more formal shape if desired.
Fagus sylvatica
Fagus sylvatica is a native deciduous shrub or tree, and can be used for formal hedging. Its wavy-edged leaves emerge yellow-green in spring and transition to a copper-bronze in autumn, and remain on the tree throughout autumn and winter. It’s a fast growing species, so ideal for providing privacy. It can reach a height of around five metres, but can also be easily maintained from one metre. Its biodiversity benefits are vast, as the caterpillars of moths use the foliage as a food source, whilst mice, birds, and squirrels feast on the seeds.
Fagus sylvatica, or beech – as it’s commonly known – can thrive in a range of soils but can’t tolerate waterlogged or very dry soil. It copes well in both full sun and partially shaded spots.
Fagus sylvatica
Ligustrum vulgare
Commonly known as wild privet, Ligustrum vulgare is a bushy, deciduous native species with lance-shaped, green foliage and small, white, scented summer flowers. In autumn, it produces purple to black berries that are loved by many birds, including blackbirds and thrushes; even waxwings have been known to devour its berries!
Ligustrum vulgare grows around 20 to 40cm per year and it can easily be maintained at around one to four metres in height. It’s suited to both formal and informal hedging, and does well in full sun or partially shaded positions, in any well-drained soil.
Useful for wildlife, Ligustrum vulgare makes a great spot for nesting. Its flowers are excellent sources of nectar and pollen for bees and butterflies.
Prunus spinosa
Commonly known as blackthorn, Prunus spinosa is an early flowering deciduous hedgerow species with dark green leaves and spiny branches. In early spring, it bears white blossom and produces blue-black sloe berries in autumn.
This sun loving species provides a food source for moths including the magpie and lackey, and birds find it useful for nesting, as well as enjoying the autumn sloe berries.
Prunus spinosa prefers moist but well-drained soil and sunny positions. Prunus spinosa is best kept between one to four metres in height and is ideal for creating an informal hedge.
Ligustrum vulgare
Rosa canina
Rosa canina is a fast growing, deciduous, arching rose with green foliage and pale pink or white scented flowers that bloom in early summer, followed by red rose hips. The rose hips are devoured during winter by many different bird species, including finches and redwings, and its flowers are an excellent source of nectar for bees and butterflies. It will quickly form a thorny hedge that is ideal for deterring any intruders.
Rosa canina is usually grown as an informal hedge and it can be easily maintained at around one to three metres in height. The rambling growth habit of Rosa canina makes it fantastic for a mixed native species hedge. It does well in full sun and partial shade in most soils, and also copes with coastal locations. Once established, Rosa canina is drought tolerant.
Viburnum lantana
An upright, deciduous, fast growing native species with grey-green serrated leaves. Viburnum lantana boasts heads of small, white tubular flowers which appear in late spring, followed by red berries which ripen to black. Its foliage provides lovely autumn colour as it transitions to a warm red. Ideal for growing as an informal hedge and can be easily maintained at a height of around one to three metres. Commonly known as wayfaring tree, Viburnum lantana thrives in well-drained soil and produces the most flowers in full sun.
Supporting more than 30 insect species, Viburnum lantana is fantastic for promoting biodiversity. Bees and beetles enjoy its spring flowers, and the orange-tailed clearwing moth lives in its stems as larvae for around two years. Birds devour the fruits which Viburnum lantana produces in summer.
Prunus spinosa
Rosa canina
Viburnum lantana
If you’d like to find out more about native hedging species which we grow and supply, get in touch with the G Team today.