The Growers Choice: Best Hedging Plants for Birds

Creating a bird-friendly garden is one of the best ways to support local wildlife while adding beauty and biodiversity to your outdoor space. Hedging plants provide essential food, shelter, and nesting opportunities for birds throughout the year. In this guide, we’ll explore the top hedge plants that will turn your garden into a haven for feathered visitors.

1. Ilex aquifolium (Holly)

Holly is an excellent choice for bird-friendly hedging, offering both food and shelter.

• Why Birds Love It: The dense, prickly leaves provide excellent protection from predators, while its vibrant red berries are a winter food source for birds such as blackbirds and thrushes.
• Growing Conditions: Thrives in well-drained, moist, moderately fertile soil. Grows up to 20 meters and flourishes in full sun to partial shade.

2. Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn)

Also known as May or Quickthorn, hawthorn is one of the most valuable hedging plants for wildlife.

• Why Birds Love It: Chaffinches, starlings, blackbirds, and greenfinches feast on its red berries. Additionally, its leaves support caterpillars, providing food for baby birds in the spring.
• Growing Conditions: Adaptable to most soils except waterlogged areas. Grows up to 6 meters in full sun to partial shade.

We have a great selection of bare root hedging available from 40-60cm tall to 175-200cm tall from November to March.

3. Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn)

A dense, thorny hedging plant that is perfect for providing shelter and food.

• Why Birds Love It: Blackthorn’s thorny branches create ideal nesting spots, while its sloe berries are a valuable food source in autumn.
• Growing Conditions: Grows in various soil types except waterlogged soil. Can reach 4 meters in full sun to partial shade.

Available in container pots throughout the year or in bare-root form come November – March. 

4. Prunus padus (Bird Cherry)

A beautiful flowering tree that attracts birds with its blossoms and berries.

• Why Birds Love It: Springtime flowers provide nectar for pollinators, and its cherries are a favorite for blackbirds and song thrushes.
• Growing Conditions: Tolerant of most soil types. Grows up to 5 meters in full sun to partial shade.

You can purchase this variety from us throughout the year as a container-grown plant or as a bare root one from November – March. 

5. Cotoneaster Varieties

Cotoneaster hedging is both ornamental and practical for wildlife.

• Why Birds Love It: Thrushes, blackbirds, and waxwings love its bright red berries, which persist well into winter. The dense foliage also provides excellent nesting sites.
• Growing Conditions: Prefers fertile, well-drained soil. Can grow up to 6 meters in full sun to partial shade.

Available in a number of pot sizes from 2L to 10L.

6. Alnus glutinosa (Alder)

A fast-growing native tree that is great for wet conditions.

• Why Birds Love It: The small cone-like fruits provide seeds for birds such as siskins, redpolls, and goldfinches. Its catkins also offer early nectar for bees.
• Growing Conditions: Tolerant of most soil types, especially damp conditions. Grows up to 10 meters in full sun to partial shade.

This hedging plant is available in container pots throughout the year and in various bare-root sizes from November-March. 

Other hedging varieties to consider to encourage birds to your garden include Pyracantha, Acer campestre, Dog Rose, and Malus sylvestris.

Conclusion: Create a Haven for Birds

By incorporating these hedging plants into your garden, you can create a thriving habitat for birds all year round. Not only will they provide essential food and shelter, but they will also enhance the beauty of your landscape. Whether you have a small urban garden or a large rural plot, these hedge varieties will help support local bird populations while adding vibrant greenery to your space.

Posted 10th Aug 3:22pm