Mixed native hedging

A typical native hedge mix includes hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), field maple (Acer campestre), hazel (Corylus avellana), guelder rose (Viburnum opulus), dog rose (Rosa canina) and holly (Ilex aquifolium). Hawthorn usually forms the backbone of the mix, and the other species add flowers, fruit, autumn colour and winter cover. Form tailors the proportions to your soil and site.

For bare-root native whips, around 5 plants per metre in a staggered double row is the usual guide, with the two rows about 40 to 50cm apart. A single row at 3 to 4 per metre works on a narrow boundary. Larger plants are spaced by width, at 100 divided by the width in cm, and the team confirms quantities for each order.

The best time to plant a native hedge is in the dormant season, roughly November to March, when bare-root whips are available. Plant whenever the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Pot-grown native plants can go in at other times of year with regular watering.

Cut a native hedge in winter, between late autumn and late winter, to avoid the bird nesting season, which generally runs from March to August. It is an offence to intentionally damage or destroy an active nest, so always check before cutting. Cutting every two or three years, or one side at a time, leaves more flowers and berries for wildlife.

Cutting a hedge is not automatically illegal in spring and summer, but under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 it is an offence to intentionally damage or destroy an active bird's nest. The safest approach is to cut native hedges in winter and check carefully for nests if any trimming is needed between March and August. Farmers follow additional legal rules on hedge cutting dates.

Once established, vigorous native species such as hawthorn and blackthorn often grow 30 to 60cm a year. A native hedge planted from bare-root whips usually becomes thick and stockproof within three to five years. Good weed control and watering in the first two summers help it establish quickly.

A mixed native hedge is the best wildlife hedge because the variety of species gives blossom, berries, nuts and cover across the whole year. Hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, guelder rose, dog rose, field maple and holly together support pollinators, birds and small mammals. Letting the hedge grow thick and cutting it in winter every two or three years makes it even better for wildlife.

A staggered double row gives the thickest, most wildlife-friendly native hedge, which is why it is the traditional choice for countryside and boundary hedges. A single row uses fewer plants and suits narrower garden spaces. The team can advise which is best for your site and confirm quantities.

Yes, native hedging grows on almost all soils, including heavy clay and chalk. Hawthorn, field maple and blackthorn are especially adaptable, while guelder rose and hazel enjoy moister ground. Form can tailor the species mix to suit your soil.

A mixed native hedge is mostly deciduous, so it is more open in winter, although holly in the mix gives evergreen cover. If you need year-round screening, you can add more holly or plant an evergreen hedge such as yew where privacy matters most. Clipped hawthorn also forms a dense twiggy screen even in winter.

The cost of a native hedge depends on the height, the format and the tier you choose. Value hedging uses younger bare-root, root-balled or pot-grown plants for an affordable hedge that knits together over a few seasons, while Premium hedging uses fuller, more mature plants and ready-made hedge elements for a finished look straight away. Live prices for each size are shown on this page, and the team confirms the spacing and final price for every order.

Yes. You are welcome to visit our Row Town showroom in Surrey, open Monday to Saturday and on bank holidays and closed on Sundays, to see hedging in person. You can also book a Genus Bar appointment at formplants.com/genus-bar for dedicated one-to-one time with the team to plan quantities and sizes.