How to Make a Hedge Better for Birds and Pollinators

Why Hedges Matter for Wildlife

Hedges are the single best wildlife feature in a garden. A mixed native hedge provides flowers for pollinators, berries for birds, nesting sites, shelter from wind and predators, and corridors for wildlife to move through the landscape. A well-managed hedge can support more than 50 species of bird, 30 species of butterfly and moth, and hundreds of other insects.

In the Chilterns, where farmland hedges have been removed over decades, garden hedges are increasingly important for wildlife. A garden hedge in Marlow or Henley can be a vital link between isolated patches of countryside. The more gardeners who plant wildlife-friendly hedges, the more connected the landscape becomes.

Why Most Garden Hedges Are Bad for Wildlife

Most garden hedges are bad for wildlife. The typical garden hedge is a single species (leylandii, beech, yew, privet), cut twice a year for a neat, formal look. This means:

• No flowers for pollinators (cut before they bloom)
• No berries for birds (cut before they form)
• Single species supports fewer insects than a mix
• Dense evergreen shades out the ground flora
• Formal shape offers no nesting sites

A leylandii hedge cut twice a year supports almost no wildlife. A mixed native hedge cut once a year is a wildlife haven.

The Best Hedge Plants for Wildlife

Hawthorn

The best single hedge plant for wildlife. Flowers in May (hawthorn blossom, or "may"), berries in autumn (haws), thorny nesting sites. Supports over 300 species of insect. Native to the UK.

Blackthorn

Flowers in March before the leaves (sloe berries in autumn). Thorns provide dense nesting cover. Supports many moth caterpillars. Native.

Hazel

Catkins in spring (yellow pollen for early bees), hazelnuts in autumn. Supports dormice (in some areas) and many moth caterpillars. Native.

Holly

Evergreen, berries in winter (on female plants), nesting sites. Slow-growing but very long-lived. Native.

Field maple

Native tree, good for hedges. Winged seeds in autumn. Supports many moth caterpillars.

Dogwood

Native shrub, white flowers in spring, black berries in autumn, coloured stems in winter. Good for wet soils.

Spindle

Native shrub, unusual pink and orange berries in autumn. Supports many moth caterpillars.

Guelder rose

Native shrub, white flowers in spring, red berries in autumn. Good for damp soils.

Other wildlife-friendly hedge plants

• Beech: not native to the Chilterns chalk but widely planted. Holds brown leaves in winter, supports some insects.
• Hornbeam: similar to beech, native to clay soils. Good for wildlife.
• Privet: semi-evergreen, flowers for bees if not cut. Good for nesting.
• Escallonia: non-native but flowers for bees. Good for coastal and mild areas.

How to Plant a Wildlife Hedge

1. Choose a mix of species: 50 percent hawthorn, 25 percent blackthorn, 25 percent other (hazel, holly, field maple, dogwood).
2. Plant bare-root in winter (November to March) for best value. 5 to 7 plants per metre in a double staggered row.
3. Prepare the soil: dig in compost, remove perennial weeds.
4. Plant at the right depth: the same as they were in the nursery.
5. Water regularly for the first season.
6. Mulch annually to suppress weeds.
7. Cut once a year in late winter (February) for the first 3 years to encourage bushy growth.
8. After 3 years, cut once every 2 to 3 years to allow flowering and berrying.

See our hedge planting guide and hedging plants guide.

How to Manage a Hedge for Wildlife

• Cut once a year, not twice. Once-a-year cutting lets the hedge flower and berry.
• Cut in late winter (February) after the berries have been eaten. Avoid cutting in bird nesting season (March to August).
• Cut on a 2 to 3 year rotation: cut one side one year, the other side the next, the top the third year. This leaves some berries and shelter each winter.
• Let some plants grow into trees. A holly or rowan allowed to grow to 4 metres adds structure and value.
• Plant climbers at the base: ivy, honeysuckle, dog rose, clematis. These add nectar, berries and nesting sites.
• Leave the base untidy: leaf litter and log piles at the base support hedgehogs, frogs and insects.

The Cost of a Wildlife Hedge

A 10 metre mixed native hedge costs 200 to 400 pounds planted, plus 50 to 150 pounds per year for cutting.

Common Mistakes

• Planting a single species. A single-species hedge supports far less wildlife than a mix. Plant at least 3 species.
• Cutting twice a year. This removes flowers and berries. Cut once a year, in late winter.
• Cutting in nesting season. It is an offence to damage active nests. Cut in February or September.
• Planting leylandii. Leylandii supports almost no wildlife. Choose native species instead.
• Not planting climbers. Ivy, honeysuckle and dog rose add huge wildlife value to a hedge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best hedge plant for birds?

Hawthorn. It flowers in May, berries in autumn, and provides thorny nesting sites. Plant 50 percent hawthorn in any wildlife hedge.

When should I cut my wildlife hedge?

Once a year, in late winter (February). Avoid cutting between March and August when birds are nesting. See our hedge cutting guide.

How wide should a wildlife hedge be?

At least 60cm wide. A wider hedge (90cm to 1.2m) supports more wildlife and is healthier than a thin hedge.

Get Help with Wildlife Hedge Planting

If you want to plant a wildlife hedge in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire or Bedfordshire, send us a WhatsApp with photos and we will aim to respond within 12 to 36 hours, Monday to Sunday.

Further Reading

• Best hedging plants for privacy
• When to cut hedges in the UK
• Best time to plant hedges
• Best wildlife plants for Chiltern gardens

Sources and citations

This article draws on the following sources. Specific claims are cited inline where relevant.

1. CGM field records (2024-02. Site observations from gardens across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Bedfordshire.
2. Royal Horticultural Society (2024). RHS Gardening Advice and Plant Finder. Available at rhs.org.uk.
3. Met Office (2024). Regional climate averages, South East England. Available at metoffice.gov.uk.
4. British Geological Survey (2024). Soil parent material data for the Chilterns and Thames Valley. Available at bgs.ac.uk.