Hedgerow Building: How To Plan, Plant and Care for Hedgerow Plants (Edible Hedgerows)

Hedgerows have served many purposes throughout history and continue to function in various roles in agriculture, landscaping, and conservation, making hedgerow building both a practical skill and an art form.

Most people probably think of uniform and continuous blocks of green when they hear the word “hedgerow,” and this is indeed the most familiar form, as these evergreen hedges have grown and retained their popularity through the years.

However, there is room for innovation in hedgerow planting.

This article explores various approaches and highlights new and unique ways of constructing hedgerows, including those that provide edible fruits and veggies and other practical integrations.

What Is Hedgerow Building?

Hedgerow building is the age-old practice of planting and growing specific types of plants in a linear fashion to create walls, borders, and boundaries.

Hedgerows can be ornamental and very useful in both urban and rural settings.

Because hedges are made from shrubs and trees which are typically pruned, trimmed, and even coppiced regularly, they can be expected to last much longer than typical fences.

These “living fences” provide food and shelter to a variety of wildlife, create boundaries, and combat soil erosion.

According to Oregon State University’s “A Guide to Hedgerows”,⁶ hedgerows are experiencing a resurgence in popularity in recent years.

However, it is not just residents and city planners who may find themselves designing hedgerows. Government bodies in both the United States and the United Kingdom have passed legislation to encourage hedgerow planting [see USDA Conservation Practice Standard Hedgerow Planting (Code 422)].¹⁵

Hedgerows Throughout History

Hedgerows have been a feature of European landscapes for centuries, even millennia, but nowhere are they more prominent, abundant, and respected than in the country of England. Hedgerow building in England dates back at least to the Bronze Age when strips of trees were left in place to mark the boundaries of properties.

Many of these original hedgerows can still be seen today, defining the boundaries between parishes.^4,7

During Roman times, new hedgerows were planted, and the mid-1700s saw an upswing in hedgerow building, secondary to The Enclosures Acts.¹⁶

Hedgerows became increasingly prominent throughout England until after World War II, when hedge removal was encouraged to open larger areas for farmland. This came with unintended consequences for native plant and wildlife species, and after several decades of hedge removal, this practice slowed significantly in the 1990s as the value of hedges was recognized.⁷

Nowadays, hedgerows are a symbol of England, but they are also an invaluable part of the country’s history, native ecosystems, and conservation efforts. In fact, hedgerows have been deemed so critical to maintaining wildlife habitats in England, that the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has created laws to protect the country’s hedgerows.¹⁷

Hedgerow Building: What Types of Hedges Work Best for Different Purposes?

The types of hedges selected during hedgerow building will be dictated by the intended purpose of the hedgerow. However, hedgerows serve many functions, including:

• Privacy borders/Property boundaries
• Edible landscaping
• Agricultural boundaries
• Soil conservation
• Wildlife habitats

So, there’s a lot more to hedgerows than you may think.

Privacy Borders

Traditionally, privacy borders around homes and properties have boasted a uniform, manicured look.

In England, this style is achieved by growing evergreen, or semi-evergreen, shrubs, such as privet (Ligustrum spp.) and yew (Taxus spp.).⁸ These types of plants form excellent privacy screens because they grow to meet one another and are easily pruned to create a seamless wall of greenery.

The modern privacy hedge may look a bit different, sometimes incorporating deciduous shrubs as well for their color and variety.

Edible Landscaping

Edible landscaping is particularly in vogue this last decade, and while many designs may involve an open, varied terrain, hedges also have a valuable role in edible landscapes. An edible hedge can be constructed from a combination of low-growing fruit trees (Prunus spp., Malus spp.), fruit-bearing shrubs (Amelanchier spp., Ribes spp.), decorative plants with edible parts (Rosa spp.), fruiting vines (Vitis spp., Tropaeolum spp.), and herbs (Rosemarinus officinalis).

The diversity of such a hedge can attract a wide range of wildlife while also providing food for families and neighbors!

Agricultural Boundaries

Hedgerows in agriculture serve many purposes, such as stabilizing and replenishing the soil, defining boundaries, providing safe passage for wildlife, as well as forage and shade for livestock.

Agricultural boundaries are best created by a combination of trees and shrubs and may be combined with literal fencing to secure livestock. When using hedges for agricultural boundaries, it is very important to ensure that no plant parts are toxic to foraging livestock.

Soil Conservation

Various types of hedges are useful for soil conservation. For example, ornamental grasses can be used to edge garden beds and prevent soil loss.

On a larger scale, combating soil erosion is best achieved by planting multiple rows of hedge plants, creating a layered hedgerow.⁶ All plants assist with erosion control, but those with diffuse, shallow root systems will be most effective.

Hedge plants such as holly (Ilex spp.), barberry (Berberis spp.), and lilac (Syringa spp.) are great examples.⁹

Wildlife Habitats

When designing a hedgerow to serve as a wildlife habitat, choose native plant species to support native wildlife. Intersperse plants of different sizes and densities to accommodate diverse animal life, and consider using fruiting varieties to provide a valuable food source.

For example, a line of small fruit trees interplanted with shrubs or brambles can create shelter and food for animals of different sizes and with different needs. A wide (20+ feet), pyramid-shaped hedge with the tallest plants in the center is ideal for wildlife, space permitting.^6,10

What Is an Edible Hedgerow?

Hedges can serve many purposes, often simultaneously, and building hedgerows with edible plants is an excellent way to boost their functionality while maintaining landscaping value.

Plants such as kumquats (Citrus japonica), rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis), bush cherries (e.g. Prunus tomentosa), roses (Rosa rugosa), currants (Ribes spp.), grapevines (Vitis spp.) are just a few examples of great choices for edible hedgerows, adding color, diversity, and edibility!

When constructing edible hedgerows, bear in mind the climate preferences of the plants and their size at maturity, as edible hedges thrive when permitted to grow naturally to full size.^2,12

What Are the Best Shrubs for Privacy Borders?

The choice of best shrubs for privacy borders depends upon a homeowner’s preferences and needs. Many people opt for ultra-fast growers such as wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), American arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), Leyland cypress, and Japanese cedar ‘Radicans’ (Cryptomeria japonica).

Other individuals may prefer privacy shrubs such as Schip laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘schipkaensis’), mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), rosebay rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum), or Koreanspice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) for their flowers, color, and/or edible parts.^3,14

What Are Some Tall, Thin Privacy Trees Used for Hedging?

Tall, columnar trees are a favorite choice for high privacy hedging, and there are several privacy trees that fit this description.

Evergreen options include examples such as: Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), Chinese juniper ‘Blue Point’ (Juniperus chinensis), and American arborvitae ‘Emerald Green’ (Thuja occidentalis), among many others.

Deciduous options include tree such as: Chinese elm ‘DannaSpire’ (Ulmus parvifolia), Japanese white birch ‘Parkland Pillar’ (Betula platyphylla), sweetgum ‘Slender Silhouette’ (Liquidambar styraciflua), Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra), and ‘Armstrong’ red maple (Acer rubrum), to name a few.^1,13

Unique Hedgerow Plants

Most people probably think of evergreen shrubs and trees when they consider hedgerow plants, as evergreen species provide a year-round privacy border that requires very little maintenance.

However, the use of deciduous shrubs and trees in hedges is increasing in popularity, as deciduous plants often boast brighter and more varied colors, adding interest to the landscape, particularly during the growing season.

Many people are choosing to couple evergreen and deciduous plant varieties to get the best of both worlds. The following are some interesting hedgerow plants for gardeners and landscapers seeking a less formal look for their hedges:^5,11

• Grapevine (Vitis spp.): This fast-growing vine wraps around fences and trellises, quickly transforming them into a hedge
• Lilac (Syringa vulgaris): The showy blooms of this plant add a flourish of color
• Ornamental Grasses: Perfect for low hedging
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Produces a pleasing aroma and flavor
• Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.): Produces attractive flowers in the spring and fruit in the summer
• Sweet Bay (Laurus nobilis): Notable for its culinary uses
• Weigela (Weigela Florida): Plant to attract wildlife

Tips on Planting Hedges

There are a few very helpful tips for individuals just getting started with planting hedges.^6,8

1. Consider the available space and the intended function of the hedge during the design phase.
2. Review local zoning ordinances and consult an expert to determine what types of hedgerows are permissible in neighborhoods.
3. Choose native plants that will attract local pollinators and wildlife, protecting native ecosystems.
4. Select pest- and disease-resistant plant varieties to improve the longevity of the hedgerow.
5. Intermix plants of different sizes and forms to create a diverse and wildlife-attractive hedge.
6. Space plants according to their mature size and desired hedge density.
7. Plant during the dormant season. Typically, the best months for planting hedges are October through March, with December through February excluded in cold winter climates.
8. Use cardboard and/or mulch around the base of plants to discourage weeds.

Choosing Fast Growing Trees in Hedgerow Building To Create Fast Growing Hedges

Sources suggest that the key to a hedgerow building with a combination of trees and shrubs is to construct a pyramid-shaped hedge.

The pyramid-shaped hedge entails a center row of tall trees flanked on each side by one or two rows of shorter shrubs, bushes, and other plants. This design is ideal for wildlife habitats, windbreaks, and erosion control.⁶

Planning fast growing hedges begins with choosing the right hedge plants. The best fast growing trees for hedgerows include:⁶

• Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum)
• Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa)
• English Walnut (Juglans regia)
• Grand Fir (Abies grandis)
• Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
• Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa)
• Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
• Western Redcedar (Thuja plicata)

Shorter landscaping trees, such as the red twig dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), and crabapple (Malus sylvestris) can be used in place of the tall trees of the center row or in the rows adjacent to the center.

For thousands of years, hedgerows have lined the English countryside, becoming invaluable for wildlife habitats and soil conservation. In the United States, hedgerow planting has become a useful tool in combating soil erosion and pollution.

Hedgerows are versatile, multifunctional, and beautiful. Additionally, they are often low maintenance and long-lasting!

Hedgerow building can be an awesome addition to your property.

With a little forethought, you can have a unique and beautiful addition to your outdoor landscape.