Planting for Nature: The Benefits of a Mixed Native Hedge
As we move through 2026, more UK gardeners are prioritising biodiversity. A mixed native hedge is essentially a “living larder” for British wildlife, providing food, shelter, and safe corridors for movement. Why Go Native? A typical native mix—often consisting of 50% Hawthorn supplemented with Blackthorn, Field Maple, and Hazel—mimics the ancient hedgerows of our countryside. Spring Blossom: Hawthorn and Blackthorn provide vital early nectar for bees and butterflies. Autumn Berries: In the leaner months, the “hips and haws” of a native hedge provide a much-needed food source for birds and small mammals like hedgehogs. A Changing Aesthetic Unlike formal evergreen hedges, a native hedge offers a changing palette through the seasons. You’ll enjoy vibrant spring greens, summer flowers, and deep autumnal oranges and reds. They are also exceptionally hardy, having evolved to thrive in the UK’s unpredictable weather and varied soil types.