Hedges are a great alternative to fencing and perfect for creating a boundary. But perhaps more importantly, hedges also provide a vital habitat and food source for wildlife.
For years, monoculture or single-species hedges have been the norm, but with pest issues increasing, gardeners are turning to mixed hedgerows and supporting more wildlife in the process. Whether to form a tall boundary or a low divider, hedges are ideal for creating structure or zoning off areas.
Why Monoculture Hedges Are on the Way Out
Both in the US and in Europe, single-species, formal hedges have been grown in gardens for some time.
But with pests, such as the box tree moth caterpillar (Cydalima perspectalis) and diseases seemingly increasing, if issues arise, this can mean the demise of an entire hedge.
Here in Southern England, where box moths are sadly rife, I have seen long lengths of box hedging stripped of their foliage in a matter of a few days.
In response, gardeners are turning towards planting biodiversity-boosting hedgerows. Inspired mainly by the native mixed hedgerows found in the United Kingdom, these boundaries were traditionally used to divide farmland and contain livestock, but have also made their way into domestic gardens in an attempt to encourage more wildlife.
The Benefits of a Biodiverse Hedgerow
Along with being more resilient to pest invasion or fungal diseases, mixed hedgerows have several other advantages.
Firstly, due to their varied makeup, hedgerows create mini ecosystems, which can offer year-round resources for a more diverse selection of insects and small mammals. Andrew Bunting, Vice President of Horticulture for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and author of The Plant Lover's Guide To Magnolias (available on Amazon), says ‘single species hedges often provide little, if any, ecological benefit’.
Furthermore, ‘It has been proven that hedgerows filled with native plants provide a food source and habitat for many native birds and mammals and for some animals, provide a system of corridors for moving across the countryside.’
These edible benefits are also not just for the birds, as a mixed hedgerow can provide a variety of culinary delights such as blackberries (Rubus), crab apples (Malus sylvestris), elderberries (Sambucus) and rosehips (Rosa).
Monoculture hedges with their uniform look are often used within formal or minimalist garden designs. But where a formal style is not necessary, a mixed hedgerow can offer more seasonal interest, with species flowering or fruiting at different times of the year.
Andrew Bunting is Vice President of Horticulture and leads the utilization of planting and design to promote environmentally sound gardening practices at PHS. Prior to arriving at PHS, Andrew worked at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Chanticleer Garden, and the Scott Arboretum for a tenure of 27 years, and has received many commendations for his work. In 2015, Andrew published his first book, The Plant Lover’s Guide to Magnolias.
Species to Grow as Part of a Mixed Hedgerow
In a world where monoculture hedges are common, you might be wondering what plants to use when creating a variety-rich hedgerow.
You can, of course, just use native shrubs, but when you combine native species with ornamentals, you can grow a hedgerow that not only encourages wildlife but also looks more aesthetically pleasing.
However, when grown in a domestic setting or backyard, some consideration is needed, as some species can grow exceptionally tall and will need regular maintenance.
When asked which species complement each other as part of a mixed hedgerow, Andrew responded that, ‘The types of plants that combine well for a mixed hedgerow are plants that can withstand occasional pruning, such as Aronia arbutifolia, chokeberry; Viburnum dentatum, arrowwood viburnum; spicebush, Lindera benzoin; American holly, Ilex opaca; summersweet, Clethra alnifolia and many other native shrubs’.
Widely grown in the UK, both in the wild and private gardens, holly (Ilex) is prized for its evergreen foliage, which even adorns our homes come Christmas time. In the US, the native American holly (Ilex opaca) is a hardy option for areas down to USDA zone 5.
A slow-growing evergreen specimen, this shrub-tree generally reaches a final height of 15-30 feet, so it might need to be pruned to size. American holly trees are available to purchase from Nature Hills.
Often used for a living fence, and native to the Eastern US and Canada, the arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is a great deciduous option, especially for colder parts. It develops clusters of tiny white flowers in early summer that are known to attract butterflies and goes on to produce small purple fruits, a food source for local wildlife.
Thriving in both full sun and partial shade, this Arrowwood Viburnum, available from Nature Hills, prefers a moist, yet well-drained soil and will tolerate USDA zones 3-8.
One of the best shrubs for fall berries and privacy, the chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) is a fantastic wildlife-friendly shrub that is a magnet for birds, especially American Robins.
Providing four-season interest, its scented flowers attract pollinators from spring to summer, leaves provide a fiery autumnal display and glossy fruits feed the birds.
A low-maintenance shrub and remaining relatively small with a final height of around 6 feet, chokeberries tolerate full sun and partial shade and are considered hardy down to zone 3.
You can purchase Brighter Blooms Viking Aronia Chokeberry Bush starter plants from Walmart.
Species that are More Resilient to Climate Stress
In light of rising temperatures and extreme weather patterns, I asked Andrew whether some species or varieties might be more tolerant of climate stress than others.
Andrew said: ‘This is a question being considered and studied by many botanical institutions. There is predictive work being done to speculate on species that will be more tolerant of climate stress.
'Some good candidates would be shrubs that can both take mass inundation of water (storms) as well as withstand drought stress. Some potential candidates would include the Virginia sweetspire, Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’; the buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis and the winterberry, Ilex verticiallata'.
The buttonbush, or Cephalanthus occidentalis, is a remarkable shrub. Fast-growing and tough, yet beautiful and scented, the buttonbush is one of those do-it-all shrubs. In summer, against its bright green foliage, it develops cream-white button-like blooms that are very popular with pollinators.
Growing to a maximum of 8 feet tall, the buttonbush is an ideal option for those seeking a boundary or privacy to just over head height. Coming from swamp-like conditions, it is no surprise that this deciduous shrub prefers damp or moist soil and full sun to partial shade. It is suitable for growing in zones 5-10.
Buttonbush plants are available to purchase from Amazon.
One of the threats to wildlife today is the loss and fragmentation of their habitats due to widespread ongoing development. As a result, our private gardens are becoming more vital, not only as habitats but also in providing links to larger wild areas.
You can discover how to turn your backyard or balcony into an on-trend ecological corridor garden that will provide a wide array of wildlife with food, water and shelter for their onward journey.
