How to Grow a Wildlife Hedge—a Living Fence That Supports Birds, Insects, and More

Garden hedges, whether tall or short, shaped or natural, can serve multiple purposes. They act as a privacy screen for your property, but they can also create habitats within your garden for wildlife, including insects, native birds, and mammals.

Not only do these hedges look beautiful, but they also support the environment and local ecosystem. Here, we spoke to gardening experts about how to grow and care for a wildlife hedge.

How Hedges Support Wildlife

Hedges support wildlife in several ways. Here are a few of the top reasons, according to Mary Philips, head of native plant strategy at the National Wildlife Federation.

• They provide shelter and nesting sites for birds and other small wildlife, as well as beneficial insects.
• They create an essential food source for wildlife with foliage, berries, and seeds. 
• They create natural corridors for wildlife to move through the landscape, especially in fragmented urban settings. (Whereas fences limit the movement of terrestrial wildlife.)
• Many native species serve as larval host plants for pollinators and other insects.

Select a Hedge

There are hundreds of species of shrubs and trees that can be used as hedges. In order to pick the best wildlife hedge for your region, you’ll want to consider several factors:

Functionality

What purpose do you want the hedge to serve? Natural hedges best support local wildlife, according to Andrew Bunting, vice president of horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society. These varieties include hawthorn, dogwood, blackthorn, and many others.

Of course, you could also select a privacy hedge, like boxwood, as well as a decorative hedge, like Japanese holly. The latter is especially attractive to pollinators.

Climate and Conditions

It's best to select native varieties that will thrive in your zone and its specific temperatures, sunlight, and soil. These are also friendlier to native wildlife.

“They’re adapted to your local environment, they generally require less water and care needs, and they provide essential food and habitat for birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects,” says Kelly Funk, president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins. 

For example, there are evergreens that can handle dry, arid climates, and native shrubs that thrive in cold, snowy regions. Some hedges are sun-loving or shade-tolerant, and others prefer dry soil or moisture-rich environments.

To find shrubs that will thrive in your region, use the National Wildlife Federation’s Native Plant Finder.

Maintenance

How often are you willing to prune the hedges? While some can be grown without pruning, a majority of hedges must be pruned at least once a year, says Bunting. However, generally speaking, native hedges require less frequent pruning than formal, non-native varieties.

Pick a Spot

Your reason for adding hedges will likely dictate where they go—whether they’re a living fence on your property line or an enclosure around a cozy seating area. Philips offers these guidelines for placement:

• Avoid planting a hedge too close to your home’s foundation.
• Consider the mature size of the shrub and if there are power lines near the area.
• To attract wildlife, pick quiet areas of your yard, as high-traffic areas can cause stress for native species.

Care Instructions

Plant your wildlife hedges during cooler months, and follow these guidelines to help them thrive:

Soil

Before planting your hedges, enrich the soil with compost or balanced fertilizer. Most hedges prefer well-draining soil, so if yours is heavy clay, then Phillips suggests adding compost and organic matter to improve drainage. Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the hedge to help the soil retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

Water

It’s important to water new hedges regularly and deeply, especially during the first one to two years, in order to help the root systems develop. Water in the early morning, if possible, to minimize evaporation and prevent fungal diseases.

Sun

Most varieties of hedges need sunlight—either full sun or partial shade, depending on the plant. 

Pruning and Maintenance

Many hedges are low maintenance once established. Bunting recommends selecting your hedge variety and then learning more about its ideal conditions.

“Since most hedges need to be pruned, do some research to determine the best time to prune and how much can be pruned in a growing season,” he says. “Some plant types will respond well to very aggressive pruning or trimming, while other types will need a light pruning or a softer touch.”