Ideas for a Hedgerow

Native Hedgerow

• Selecting plants native to your location for hedgerow use makes perfect sense. Native plants are already adapted to your local conditions. Once established, they require much less care than most other types of plants. Many of them provide wildlife a source of nectar, food and a place for to nest. Instead of shearing native shrubs to control their size, weaving the branches into the closest shrub creates a thick tangle where birds and other small creatures can hide.

Barrier Hedgerow

• Designing a hedgerow as a barrier requires thought. Choose plants that the animals you are trying to contain or keep away won’t eat. This requires some research on your part. Consider the spacing between the plants. Some animals, such as foxes or chickens, can squeeze out of a small opening. Select plants with strong branches. Some animals, such as goats, press against any type barrier that prevents them from getting where they want to go in hopes of creating a hole large enough to allow them to crawl through. Select plants for the middle layer with thorns. Ground cover plants that vine are good deterrents as well. Some animals dislike getting tangled in vines and avoid those situations.

Privacy Hedgerow

• Hedgerows create privacy, especially in urban settings. Selecting the right plants is the key for success with this type hedgerow. Evergreens are a good choice for the upper level because they retain their needles year-round. Rugosa roses, privet, holly or juniper are good choices for the middle level, but give them space to reach their mature size so that they do not choke each other out, compete for nutrients or water. Ajuga, vinca and English ivy are suitable ground covers.

Edible Hedgerow

• Edible hedgerows are a good way to get more out of a small space. Small trees, such as dwarf peach, apple or cherry, are suitable for creating the upper layer of the hedgerow. Raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries or blueberries are good choices for the middle layer. Raspberries, blackberries and other members of this family are thorny, and it is best to remove older, nonfruiting branches, so that hedgerows planted with these plants require regular maintenance. Edible ground cover plants include strawberries, lettuce, salad greens, mint, low-growing herbs and edible flowers such as nasturtium or viola. With an edible hedgerow, you may find animals beat you to the harvest.