What is a hedgerow?
A hedgerow is a line of plants, usually trees or bushes, planted closely together to create a living fence. These plants can also be grasses or shorter non-woody flowers, called forbs, depending on the space and purpose. As they grow, the plants form a beautiful and effective barrier that can last decades.
The term “hedgerow” or “hedge” is associated with the United Kingdom, where some hedgerows are centuries old! People all around the world have been planting similar living fences for even longer (since at least the Neolithic era 4000-6000 years ago). Traditionally, hedgerows were planted to serve a lot of the same purposes that a constructed fence would: protecting crops, marking boundaries and paths, privacy, and blocking wind.
But at the same time, hedgerows can also be wonderful habitat for your local wildlife, especially if you pick the right plants. Read on to discover their benefits and how to build your own!
How do hedgerows help pollinators and other wildlife?
Hedgerows do it all: they are a home for insects and other animals to live, eat, and move safely!
As the hedgerow grows, it fills a three-dimentional space upwards that can provide homes at multiple heights to many kinds of animals. Wild bees can use the hollow stems of plants like elderberry (Sambucus) to nest, bumblebees can find rodent or reptile holes at the base of stems to grow their colony, and birds may build homes in the interior of bushes or the tops of trees.
The plants in the hedgerow can be selected to also provide pollen, nectar, and fruit to feed these animals. Even the leaves of the hedgerow can be eaten by caterpillars and grow butterflies like swallowtails (Papilio) that dine on ash or willow (Fraxinus, Salix).
Last, hedgerows can create a critter highway to move between green spaces, as hedgerows can fit in narrow spots that would otherwise not grow flowers or shelter, like along a roadway.
7 easy steps to planting the perfect hedgerow
Creating a hedgerow in your space is easy to do with these helpful tips:
- Start by picking a spot for your hedgerow. Look at your space and think about what you want from your hedge. Are you looking for privacy, more shade, replacing an old fence, filling in a patch of ground that is too narrow for much else, adding a fun decoration, supporting a specific pollinator?
- Pick the right native plants for your needs. Native plants are always the best choice for a hedgerow, but which native plants will depend on the spot’s light, soil, and your goals. Privacy and sun shields will want trees and taller bushes, while planting an odd-shaped area or adding a fun feature might benefit from shorter bushes, non-woody plants (forbs), and grasses. Use our native plant guide to find what works for you!
- Decide whether to use potted plants, or grow from seeds. Potted plants are the easiest to use because they will get larger faster, and growing woody plants from seeds can be difficult. But, they are more expensive. Seeds are cheaper but can take more time and planning, especially if that type of plant needs a cold and wet period (to simulate winter) before its seed begins sprouting. One compromise is to grow the seeds in pots yourself, and later transplant them to the hedge.
- Get pesticide-free plants and seeds. Your new hedgerow will be home to many bees, butterflies, and other animals, so make it a safe home for them. Pesticides can stay on plants for a long time after first being used, and cause many health problems for wildlife. Use our directory of native plant nurseries to find an option near you, and follow our guide to buying pesticide-free plants. (You can also check to see if your project is eligible for our habitat kit program, which may be able to provide plants and guidance.)
- Prepare the area and plant your new hedgerow. If other plants are already growing where you’d like your hedgerow to go, you will likely need to clear those out first to give the new hedgerow the best chance to thrive. No need for any pesticides here either! Follow our guides on herbicide-free site preparation for effective techniques like solarization or sheet mulching.
- Water your new hedgerow for the first two years. Native plants are adapted to your area and can survive without additional water once they are older, but will appreciate some help at first to grow out their roots. You can mulch around the base of the plants initially to reduce weeds while the plants get larger, but then stop so native bees can use that soil to nest.
- Avoid using pesticides on or near your hedgerow. Use our resources on effective alternatives to pesticides to keep your new habitat safe for wildlife.
Growing hedgerows on farms, parks, and other large areas
This guide was written with home yards and gardens in mind, but hedgerows are of course an excellent choice for larger areas like farms, too! This is where they were first used, after all. If you are a farmer or land manager, check out our habitat installation guides for detailed, region-specific, instructions for adding a hedgerow to your land.
Angela works with agricultural producers in the inland Pacific Northwest to create pollinator friendly habitat. She strives to bring the joy of invertebrates to all people through conversation and habitat creation. Angie has been collaborating with farmers since 2016 to help with resource needs in perennial and annual crops. She holds a MS in Watershed Management from the University of Arizona. Outside of work Angie spends time cooking, foraging, and volunteering.
