Natural Barriers Team Wilder

Natural barriers in gardens and open spaces exist to section off, organise and tidy areas. Natural borders and barriers such as dead hedges, native hedges and willow or hazel barriers are prime examples that are sustainable, blend in with the natural environment, use materials on site and are wildlife friendly.

They create important habitats for beetles, hedgehogs, birds and small mammals, providing food, shelter and breeding space, which walls and fences do not (unless climbers are added for example). Hedges also allow wildlife to move freely between gardens and open spaces. 

At Grow Wilder, wicker tunnels are used to screen off a hidden pond and other areas, plus logs are used a lot for barriers/walls and of course they also double up as bug hotels.

Choosing hedges instead of fences or walls in your garden or open spaces reap many benefits for people and wildlife. Hedges provide living space, shelter and food for wildlife - offering leaves, nectar-rich flowers, berries, fruit, seeds and insects. They also allow movement of small animals, like hedgehogs.

Benefits of choosing hedges over fences include budget, as it is cheaper to grow a hedge than install a fence, hedges absorb noise from roads and soften effects from the wind, they look natural and beautiful and are full of life, changing throughout the seasons. 

How to choose a native hedge & maintenance advice

A native hedgerow could be grown to replace conifer trees for example. Advice on hedgerows from the Team Wilder Community Ecologist:

• Native hedgerow species, such as hawthorn, hazel, field maple, hornbeam, dogwood, guelder rose or holly, could be planted along the south boundary.
• Hedgerow species can be purchased from the suppliers below, either individually or as a pack.
• There is a useful guide here that details how to create a hedgerow and what the process involves.
• A wildflower mix for hedgerows can be sown alongside the hedgerow to add diversity or the grass can be let to grow long.

Friends of Emersons Green Park have worked on many projects to benefit both people and wildlife. Some impressive examples are shown below of community created and managed natural borders - dead hedges, beautiful hazel and willow borders, including a willow den located next to the children's playpark, encouraging the next generation of nature lovers and nature protectors. 

Thornbury Orchard Group. Having an orchard means that there are many opportunities to create amazing dead hedges - not only getting rid of trimmings and pruning on site, looking aesthetically pleasing and in-keeping with the natural soundings, but also creating a haven for bugs, supporting local wildlife. Dead hedges can tidy up an area, making walkways more clear and accessible, plus section of other areas. The dead hedge is useful to define where they cut brambles back to, acting as safety barrier between visitors to the orchard and the stream. The Thornbury Orchard team of friendly, knowledgeable and dedicated volunteers have some excellent examples of managing a site for people and wildlife. 

Really Wild Lockleaze

The Really Wild Lockleaze project from Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust held events to raise awareness and education about the importance of headgeways. One particular event called 'Collect a hedge' involved seed gathering from their local nature reserve, Stoke Park, which was bountiful in providing hawthorn berries, crab apples, rosehips, beech nuts, spindle berries, holly berries, rowan berries and even some hop seeds! They successfully gathered native tree seeds for residents to grow in their garden or community spaces as trees or hedgerows.