This Is The Best Type Of Hedging To Feed Wildlife, Create Shade And Reduce Pollution In Your Garden – And Experts Say It Thrives In UK Soils

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A report by Ideal Home says UK gardening and environmental experts recommend native hedging, including hawthorn and hazel, for gardens. Experts describe benefits for wildlife, shade and shelter, while noting that hedges can help trap some air pollutants and improve soil water retention.

UK gardening experts are recommending native hedges, including hawthorn and hazel, as a way to provide wildlife with food and shelter while adding shade to gardens. In a report for Ideal Home, environmentalist Nick Mann and horticultural expert Richard Barker also described potential benefits including reduced wind exposure, improved soil water retention and trapping some air pollution.

Mann, founder of Somerset-based B Corp Habitat Aid, said hedges can trap larger air particulates, which are then washed away, and absorb carbon dioxide. He also said their roots can improve soil health and help soil hold more water. These are expert comments in the report; it does not provide measurements or comparative data on how much pollution a hedge removes or how much water it retains.

The report identifies hawthorn as a leading option for a garden hedge. Mann said it grows quickly, produces blossom in April and May, and bears red haws in autumn. Barker said dense, thorny hedges can provide birds with nesting cover and leaf litter can shelter insects and small animals over winter. Hedges can also act as windbreaks, he said.

Other suggested plants include holly and hazel, as well as dogwood, buckthorn and honeysuckle in a mixed planting. Mann recommended a well-managed mix of native species and cautioned against blackthorn in garden hedges because it can spread through suckering. The report does not provide a planting plan for particular soil conditions or garden sizes.

Hedges Can Link Garden Habitats

A hedge can serve as more than a boundary. Its dense growth may offer food, nesting places and shelter, while a connected line of hedges can give wildlife cover as it moves between fragmented habitats. Mann said established hedges also create cooler, shaded areas that can provide refuge during hot weather.

The advice may be relevant to gardeners looking to support wildlife through changes to the garden’s structure, rather than relying only on separate features such as bird feeders or a small pond. The reported benefits depend on the hedge being suited to its site and maintained in a way that preserves dense growth; the article does not establish that every native hedge will deliver the same results.

Choosing and Managing Native Species

In the report, “native hedging” refers to hedge plants native to the UK, with hawthorn and hazel given as examples. The experts’ case rests on their suitability to local conditions and the resources they can offer wildlife across the year, including blossom, berries, nuts and food plants for some moth and butterfly larvae.

Barker recommended traditional hedge laying to keep a hedge dense near the ground, rather than allowing it to become a line of trees with open gaps below. He advised attempting the work only on established hedges and during the dormant season, October to March. The report says people without experience, or those dealing with a complex or long hedge, should seek professional advice.

“Hedges of all sorts are proven to reduce air pollution in urban areas. They trap larger particulates, which are then washed away.”

— Nick Mann, environmentalist and founder of Habitat Aid, as quoted by Ideal Home

Benefits Vary by Site and Care

The report presents expert guidance rather than results from a comparative study. It gives no measured figures for pollution captured, carbon absorbed, water retained or wildlife attracted, and does not compare native hedges with other garden boundaries. The size of any benefit will depend on factors such as species, hedge condition, location and management, but the article does not quantify those differences.

It also does not specify which species or mix would suit every UK garden, or address local planting restrictions and site conditions. Gardeners considering hedge laying should seek advice where the hedge is complex or its boundaries and ownership are uncertain.

Plan Planting for the Dormant Season

Gardeners considering a new hedge can compare native species and choose a mix suited to their site, with hawthorn, holly and hazel among the options named in the report. Those planning traditional laying can use the October-to-March dormant period as a guide, while following Barker’s advice to start with a small section and consult a professional if the work exceeds their experience.

The Ideal Home report does not announce a new policy, project or forthcoming study. It is practical expert guidance; any further evidence about the scale of the environmental benefits would require measurements not supplied in the article.

Key Questions

Which native hedge does the report recommend most strongly?

The report highlights hawthorn for its fast growth, spring blossom, autumn berries and dense, thorny structure. It also recommends considering a mixed hedge rather than planting only one species.

What other plants can be included in a native hedge?

The experts mention holly and hazel, alongside dogwood, buckthorn and honeysuckle. The best mix will depend on the garden and its conditions; the report does not offer a universal planting recipe.

How can hedges help wildlife?

According to the experts quoted, hedges can provide nesting cover, food, shade and shelter. Their leaf litter may offer overwintering habitat, and connected hedges can provide covered routes between habitats.

When should a hedge be laid?

Barker advises traditional hedge laying during the dormant season, from October to March, and on hedges with several years of growth. He recommends professional help for people without experience or for complex or long hedges.

Source: rss