Nick Mann
The best hedge plants for the UK. Good for traditional hedges, good for wildlife! These hedge plants will provide all year round interest, and are the basis for many country hedges. Hedges are fabulous resources for wildlife, providing shelter, safe passage, food and nest sites. Why on earth would you want a fence?
Source: https://www.habitataid.co.uk/blog/2011/10/18/native-hedge-planting/
Hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna, fast growing, tolerant of most conditions. Superb hedge plant, forms a stock proof hedge, good to lay. Excellent for wildlife, with attractive blossom and berries.
Blackthorn, Prunus spinosa. Fabulous hedge plant. Attractive white spring blossom, sloes in winter. Food plant for many caterpillars. Spiny and impenetrable hedge, suckers freely.
Common Beech (Fagus sylvatica), wonderful formal hedge plant in a single species hedge. As a hedge, holds its leaves over winter, providing good cover for birds etc. as well as privacy.
Field maple (Acer campestre). Stunning autumn colour, fast growing, easily laid. Great hedge plant.
The Dog Rose, Rosa canina, fast growing, tolerant of nearly any site. Pretty blossom a boon for pollinators, haws a good source of winter food for birds and small mammals. Spiky stems make it a really good hedge plant too.
Hazel is great for wildlife and an attractive and effective hedge plant, as it has a suckering tendency and lays well. Good source of early pollen for bees and the nuts are harvested by small mammals.
Nick runs an environmental business in Somerset. His particular enthusiasms are wildflower meadows, hedges and bumblebees.
