How to Make a Wildlife Friendly Hedge - The BEST Native Shrubs to Plant

[@joethompson11]

I hope you don't mind Joel but I took notes and thought they'd be handy to share for anyone returning to the video: [ ] 30-50 cm apart [ ] Can do double rows [ ] Can do 2 per m Get two of each Top cut one year, side cut one year, repeat [ ] Hazel - his favourite. flowers Jan. Good for coppicing. Good for nesting birds. Good for moths. [ ] Hawthorn - insect bringers, cat protection for birds [ ] Holly - evergreen, good for Holly blue butterfly. Slow grower [ ] Blackthorn - spreads via runners, danger, easy to pull out though [ ] Field maple - top of the year for him. Easy to cut down [ ] Gelder rose- no thorns, not like a god rose. Wild carrot-like flower, reminds me of hydrangea. Red berries in autumn. Birds love em. Moths love em, can gt mad on that [ ] Beech - great leaves and dense. Slow grower. Leaves through winter a bit [ ] Hornbeam - some leaves through winter. Serated edge leaves [ ] Dogwood - easy going growing. Good flowers. Dark black berries [ ] Wild privet - better than garden centre ones. Great screening if cut a lot. Semi evergreen poison berries. Even one hedge of it is good [ ] Buckthorn - alder and common. Good for butterfly. Common for chalky soil, alder for wetter. Good berries [ ] Elder - indestructible. Flowers for insects. Even fish eat the berries, mice, etc, can copice [ ] Dogrose/fieldrose - ramble through hedges - great for bees. Good fruit. Good protection for birds. Warning, it's a grower! [ ] Spindle- pink and orange flowers/ berries. Grows great in shade [ ] Yew - slow, formal, ancient. Dense boxy hedging, can even be topiary. Good berries for birds evergreen. Good for roosers and nesters Bonus [ ] Crabapple [ ] Rowan [ ] Silver birch Let them grow taller as specimens, every 7m or so

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Without exaggeration, I'm pretty blown away by those exact notes - very impressive, in fact I could probably do with your help with some consultations/meetings! Excellent note taking, but above all really thoughtful and helpful, and I for one really appreciate it Joe - thank you. Best wishes, Joel

[@joethompson11]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton you're very welcome Joe! Working with you would be fantastic, anytime you're in Norfolk ;) I have finally moved into my new place and have 7ft+ deep leylandii which, while nice, is taking up a lot of space but providing nice privacy down one side. From your list I'm thinking a mix of holly, hornbeam, wild privet, beech and yew for cover down that side (roughly 13m), then a mix of everything else for the remaining perimeter (roughly 20m) Hopefully you'd agree with this. I will aim to do this over the next two years but am sure I'll be on your website soon enough to make a start!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@joethompson11 This is great Joe, you've got a perfect list there - it's a good mix and I'd plant in blocks of twos and threes, using as many species as possible - you'll be rewarded for your efforts, I promise :) do drop me a line at [e-mail] as I'd love to drop by when I'm Norfolk way, might not be til the Spring but who knows... thank you again, I really appreciate your support - am away from Sunday til 25th so if I don't respond before etc...

[@clodaghgoss5069]

Lol..... I've just done the same thing, but for my benefit alone! Very thoughtful of you! Well done.

[@jackstone4291]

Great note taking ! - really appreciate. Appreciate Joel’s videos too (although they can be really long….. and go on a bit…. and ramble ….. they’re well worth it!)

[@MrDesmondPot]

Going to start trying to convince my mum to use her generous garden to plant some of these native shrubs

[@taxusbaccata6332]

What stopped rabbits eating my saplings was the development of long grass! Rabbits do not like long grass - they cannot see predators approaching. Was delighted to remove the plastic spiral protectors. Also a huge wildlife hedging plant - bramble!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

This is really helpful, thank you and good to hear :) Hope you and yours are well - best wishes, Joel

[@karlitobergkamp8082]

Great video as usual Joel. I’ll say this now in case it happens one day but gardeners world really should give you an hour special episode as your knowledge is key to helping educate people that these ideas can be incorporated into any sized garden and would help our British wildlife so much.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks so much Karlito. As long as these videos get shared far and wide and help others create habitats for wildlife, that’s the main thing 😊

[@ilikelampshades6]

Hornbeam, Spindal, yew and privat are the only ones on the list i haven't planted in my garden. Ive planted about 600 trees in my new build since moving in 15 months ago. Ive also planted many other species not on the list. When we moved in it was a a naked muddy field and its amazing how much wildlife ive already got in such a short amount of time. This week ive got 5 bird boxes to put up, a batbox up, place a hedgehog house and start building a pond.

[@jackstone4291]

600 trees! You should be proud. A real wildlife and nature steward for the UK. Hope you really enjoy and the next generations appreciate too ! what’s your favourite tree and shrub?!

[@ilikelampshades6]

@jackstone4291 thank you! I am trying to do my bit. Today, we transplanted 2 large camellias which we got free from Facebook marketplace. Probably 8 foot tall each and getting a large apple tree tomorrow. My favourite is probably Holly trees because the robins love them. Hawthorns seem very popular too and are fast growing and don't need much maintenance so they're a favourite of mine too. Silver birch is always pretty.

[@ilikelampshades6]

@@jackstone4291 what are your favourites?

[@OutdoorPeter]

Your beard is compensating the lack of growth in my garden! 🙃 Looks good on you man :) Cheers!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Haha! Actually laughed out loud. Thanks Peter

[@Tuppyandizzy]

Wow that planet earth kinda intro .. fantastic 🖤🖤

[@saltriverorchards4190]

I love my elders. The berries are great for homemade soda, jelly, etc… and they produce so well that I have no problem sharing them with the birds.

[@jackstone4291]

Make sure those berries are fully ripe as contain some badness if under ripe and not cooked for long enough. Lovely elderflower champagne and elderberry cordial and jam and wine.

[@UkAmphibians]

Brilliant idea joel yes great idea if everyone clicks on the thanks section to support joel it will help joel out massively as we know how hard it is to run a KZbin channel and do your day time job too. Looking forward to more amazing videos coming soon this year thanks for sharing joel 🐸💚🐸

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you, so much. YT is not "easy" by any means, I know you know this too, but you've been there from the start, helping me and encouraging me - I won't forget it

[@davidcobb8422]

Another great interesting video Joel.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

So glad you enjoyed this David, hope it reminds you of all of the shrubs and small trees planted, I can't wait to return and see how all these are doing and the benefits your garden brings. Thank you, Joel

[@453421abcdefg12345]

An excellent list of hedgerow shrubs, and a very good note of the huge benefit to wildlife in spring which is an early source of nectar, insects that have just come out of hibernation are hard pressed to find nectar in the usual "tidy" gardens of our homes, so it is vitally important for them to have a ready source of nectar at this time when they are low in energy, I always plant a few Honeysuckles throughout a hedgerow as these not only provide nectar, but a larval foodplant and a delightful scent in the garden, Happy New Year to you, I look forward to another year of informative videos! Chris B.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Chris, wise words as always from you - I know exactly how well your garden works now and only a few days ago I came across the south of France films, ready for editing and upload and I longed to be back in the area you live. I hope you are both doing well, catch up properly soon - Joel

[@CrazySexyDutchYessss]

Another great plant, very easy to grow if you put the seeds on spaghnum moss and then leave them in the fridge. They need cold or won't germinate.

[@itsmewende]

Love this, it's going in my arboretum save file. Glad you mentioned shade, I have a wild hedge row, that happens when you're tried of mowing between trees. I'll add some shade plants along there. Really love that spindle, I have an area to add those as well, among others you suggest.

[@NadineTouzet]

For your informative content. All the best for 2023.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Nadine, thank you - I do appreciate your generosity, alongside your consistent support and encouragement, it means a lot - best wishes, Joel

[@padraigcullen717]

Another very helpful video, Joel - as I’m making plans to plant two native wildlife hedges in my garden. Many thanks, Padraig

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Fantastic Padraig, so glad that this was of help. I can't wait to see your wonderful garden in person :) Best wishes, Joel

[@kathrynnorman2253]

The new start looks amazing

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you :) I changed editor programmes due to the previous one being frustrating and slow, it meant I was unable to access the previous intro, but I'm glad now that I chose this new one, glad you appreciated it - best wishes, Joel

[@kathrynnorman2253]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton The intro has got a David Attenborough vibe to it

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@kathrynnorman2253 Yes - here's hoping 🤣

[@titiaswildlifecottagegarden]

First of all: you rock the beard look👌 I was captivated by it for a minute or so, you kind of like a Scottish man with that beard🧔🏼 As usual a very informative video, it is my dream to create a hedgerow some day. Not to long ago my husband and I had a slight desire forming of some day moving to a slight bigger house with bigger garden. It will not happen very soon, since we just live here for only two years. But when the time comes, the very first thing I would change, is to add a native, mixed hedgerow. The thought of seeing all the spring blossoms and berries in autumn and the wildlife it attracts makes me happy❤

[@kaasiksilver]

A little tip for beekeepers. Alder Bucktorn honey doesn't crystallise. So a very good plant if you want runny honey.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I've learned something today :) Although I'm not a beekeeper, I'll still remember that - thank you, best wishes - Joel

[@Tofog22000]

Keep up the great work and content.

[@judithhope8970]

I also love the perfume from the privet. Its heavenly. We have created a dead hedge to hold all our trimmings. Its becoming quite established now.

[@SisterDogmata]

Hey Joel! Great video! Hoping to do some work on the front garden this year so will add these to the front garden wish list! Best wishes, Don't work too hard!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you - so glad this was helpful, you'll see the benefits and this makes me want to come and see the garden even more now! Away from this Sunday, back on 25th and then head on into landscaping etc but it's been a good rest - take good care, Joel

[@SisterDogmata]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton You're always welcome. Whenever you're passing the kettle will be on! Best Wishes.

[@Dockdroid]

Love the beard Joel! I've just got an allotment so want to create a wildlife area to encourage amphibians in particular. I'll look to put a few of these around the pond

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Not too close! ;) you might create a little more work than intended - I am very happy to suggest some suitable shrubs etc if you wanted to send a few photos of the allotment - you can reach me at [e-mail] - I am away from Sunday until 25th but will come back to you properly after then. Hope this helps - best wishes and thanks re the beard! Joel

[@littleacornslandscapes2935]

Great video, thanks Joel.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Glad you enjoyed it, hope it helps create a little more habitat in a lot more places :) Best wishes, Joel

[@clodaghgoss5069]

Well Joel. You've just made my "life as a gardener" choices much harder! As always, a fabulously informative video! I have a small garden on a hill. Completely exposed to the elements, but I'm soldiering on. I've planted beech, Holly, hawthorn (curtesy of the birds) and elder, along the front between me and the road. I don't think I can squeeze anymore in! But I'll try, I've always wanted a blackthorn, now where can I put it!?!

[@keithroberts42]

All that talk of butterflies makes me long for the Spring…wish I had more space, could you recommend a specimen that would do well in a container..love the new opening title.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Me too Keith! Imagine me when I was going through the brimstone footage to find clips for the film... I'd certainly recommend crab apple or rowan :) Am so glad you approve of the opening title, I had no choice really as the last video editing programme I had was pretty dire and wouldn't work properly with Apple devices, despite the claims. A half hour video would take circa 10-12 hours to edit (no exaggeration) and then hours upon hours to upload to YT. So I bit the bullet, upgraded to a new system and it's working well, only thing being that I couldn't replicate the opening title and only had certain formats to choose from. Glad you approve, pretty relieved now!

[@keithroberts42]

You don’t need my approval Joel, I was thinking it was a change for the new year, so in a way it will be visually useful, when we look back through them. Look forward to more videos, they do give a feeling of community, that we’re not in isolation in our endeavours to help the environment so that is a motivator too. Regards

[@fiona12451]

Wonderfully inspirational... I always learn so much from your channel Thank you!💚 🐛🐛🐞🐞🐝🐝💚

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

You're so very welcome Phiona - I am so glad that the channel is helping create so many more habitats for all creatures pretty desperately in need of our help now - I am also really grateful for your encouragement and support - best wishes, and thank you - Joel

[@mattjackel474]

Hello, I discovered your channel over Xmas and am loving watching it to get inspiration for what I might do to our garden when I move in next month. My fiancé and I have just purchased our first home, a newish build in Stroud, UK. I can’t wait to get in there and start putting our stamp on it! Because of this, I have thought of some suggestions for a video or 2 that you could cover one day if interested. I’m about half way through you catalog and I don’t think you’ve covered the following topics. 1- The one I’m most curious of your thoughts on is, How to wild a small garden. Maybe specifically aimed specifically towards first time buyers and young people aka poor after putting all their money into a house 😅 (This could be a separate video too? 🤔) Our garden is relatively modest at about 30x30ft. Mostly lawn, lined by some human height shrubs. We also have the added concern of our housing estate being what I’d define as a standard UK new build estate. So everything is very samey, our neighbors have even smaller perfectly manicured or boring gardens. So need ideas that won’t piss them off too much too 😅 Blackthorn in our garden is probably not the one, same with anything that tears up fences or grows too big. Hard balance to figure out. 2- I’d love a video on non native species. I want to wild our garden, but also love plants like Japanese Acers, Wisteria, Virginia Climbers and Gingkos (Not that I’m going to have all of these in our little garden) But I love to hear if there are any non native plants that are beneficial, detrimental or neutral in UK gardens. 3. Just thought of a 3rd idea, linked to the last one, great alternatives to beloved non native species. Anyway, keep doing what you’re doing, Joel. You’ve definitely given me some inspiration. I look forward to what you put out next and maybe one day tackling the subjects I’ve mentioned.

[@Tuppyandizzy]

What a fantastic idea, Matt . I have been a subscriber for over a couple of years now . I promise this channel is the best and most consistent when it comes to rewilding our native urban landscapes. Personally, it helped me tons all thanks to Joel Ashton.

[@SisterDogmata]

You might want to take a look at Building an urban wildlife garden Joel did a while back. Great ideas for all size gardens.

[@mattjackel474]

@@SisterDogmata Great, thanks for the tip, I don’t remember seeing that one. I’ll take a look 🙂

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Matt, thank you so very much - these are excellent suggestions and I have to say some are actually on my "list of videos to make" and I always take the opportunity when out and about to pass on information. But I hope that this year I can take a little time out, even a day, to make some specific videos for that time of year and include your great ideas too - it really is good to hear what people would like. I'd be happy for you to send an email to me once you've moved in with some photos of the garden as it is, I am happy to give consultations and I work countrywide, so location isn't a problem. I really appreciate your support and encouragement Matt, it makes a huge difference to me, and I'm grateful. Best wishes to you and yours - Joel

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Ameed - although we've never met you've always been so encouraging and helpful and I'm still thrilled that someone in Kashmir is watching my videos :) Thanks for everything - Joel

[@lucycallender7743]

Thanks

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Lucy, I'm very grateful for this donation, it will make a huge difference in me improving the channel, ensuring it reaches more and more people and, of course so much habitat created in turn. So many people making a vital difference already. Best wishes, Joel

[@rigajykra3159]

Thanks for the upload Joel. And just in time! Also would you ever be interested in the idea of perhaps interviewing Professor Dave Goulson who founded the bee conservation? That would be such a good talk. All the best.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

We think alike :) I spoke with Dave late last year about an interview when Spring is fully here so we can be in his garden, I'm hoping to interview a lot more people when the gardens improve and give more interest - lots of other videos to come and I appreciate your support - best wishes, Joel

[@rigajykra3159]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton that’s amazing news. Can’t wait to see. Thank you.

[@george-1961]

Thank you king Henry 😄 Never heard of the spindle. Keep up the good work Joel 😉

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Haha! It's a lot less unruly now after a trip to the barber's at the weekend - the Spindle is often ignored or overlooked but I hope this video helps change that - thank you George

[@EM-zb3jt]

Please state somewhere in the description/title/or beginning of the video which native plants you're talking about. Looking at your channel, I can now see which region your in, but the youtube algorithm/search brought you up without context when I was looking for native hedge ideas for my area (NOT your fault. It's youtube!) I'm in the USA (Washington State). Hawthorn is very invasive here, as well as other plants you listed.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there, sorry this was misleading, it's impossible to edit a video afterwards without taking it down and starting again, but I am trying my best to include my US viewers too now. I'm really hoping to visit the US soon, I've been many times but it was before I started the channel, but I do want to do some videos from there so I can cater for you guys too. Best wishes, Joel

[@Rigas-]

Really nice video mate.. the way you present them and talk about those shrubs is inspiring. I would have hoped that in your top 15 would be the lovely *Cornus mas* ..with its abundance of yellow flowers early in the year and it's red berries in the autumn. Some other nice ones are: Lonicera xylosteum Malus sylvestris Pyrus communis Sorbus domestica Sorbus torminalis Sorbus intermedia Sorbus aria Sorbus aucuparia Hippophae rhamnoides Mespilus germanica Prunus avium Prunus cerasifera Viburnum lantana (as you said) My plus additions to my bird-forests, apart from your list and all the above ones are: Lonicera nigra Syringa vulgaris and Viburnum tinus (both native to central and South of Europe) Buxus sempervirens Sambucus racemosa Corylus colurna Greets from the Netherlands 👋

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Oriolus, I would agree with your choices, absolutely - it would have been an epic video if I'd included everything ;) However, am currently wilding my front garden as a showcase to other passers by and neighbours, that wild doesn't mean messy (got to convert them somehow!) and I've just planted 21 native trees in just under 12 metres of garden boundary. Have been filming everything so there will be videos on that to share with you all :) Thanks so much for your kind words, support and encouragement, it does make a difference. Best wishes, Joel

[@Rigas-]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton I can't wait to see your new video..sounds really interesting. Planting shrubs is my passion too.. so it's always interesting to meet people like you mate. Be safe 🌿

[@finnerzUK]

I’m planting 2 small native hedges to sectionalise the garden. I’ve got holly , blachtorn and hazel so far for one hedge. The other hedge will be hazel , field maple , dog rose combined with a silver birch and a bird cherry. I’m hoping to create a nice woodland area at the bottom of the garden as our garden is long and narrow .

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

This sounds great! You'll certainly be rewarded for doing this, many many times over. Thank you for helping those creatures desperately in need right now, you're helping to make a big difference :) Best wishes, Joel

[@declanoc]

great vid

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Declan - appreciated :)

[@Radagast-]

I had a viburnum hedge that was plagued with sawfly. I grubbed it out and planted a hedgerow using quite a few of the species you mention. The Forestry Commission reckons hawthorn and blackthorn are best because they each support over a hundred species, directly and indirectly. In addition, I used hazel, beech, hornbeam, field maple, yew, holly, honeysuckle, ash and gorse. A good spread, in other words. I planted about 1.5 foot apart in a double row, staggered. PS A word of caution on blackthorn: it's a plum and will throw up suckers.

[@stleisink]

Great extensive video thank you, I was just picking together hedge species to order. Lets hope it wont snow in April, and then immediately afterwards summer drought like last year :)

[@markhunter2244]

Very nice selection of hedging shrubs. Henry VIII that must be a bit worrying for your fiancée 😬

[@outdoorztime2923]

Very informative. Hello from Arkansas!

[@victoriaisaac3673]

I have just planted a tiny hedgerow in front of my terrace house, including blackthorn, spindle, guelder rose, dogwood and crab apple plus dog rose. Could not get my hands hawthorn but think this is Ok. What do you think?. Wanted to add greenery to the road and hopefully wildlife. Thanks for all the great videos so informative and enjoyable.

[@dogproofwildlifegardening3164]

Based on your advice I've planted all these in my garden in the last 2 years except elder, which will going in soon! Another brilliant video Joel, loving the longer advice type format. Have you considered adding a patreon option to your channel so I can donate on a monthly basis? Not sure which are best options these days that will get the majority of the donation into your pocket without KZbin grasping their greedy wedge?

[@michaelrobinson8581]

Hi Joel can I plant some of these in pots as I have smallish garden like holly hawthorn

[@claudeclawsonne4510]

Could you talk around the possibilities native American shrubs that might be utilised to create hedgerows here? We seem to have missed out on the skill--or I haven't been looking in the correct places and if that's the case please redirect me!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Claude, I've been meaning to do more videos to appeal to our wonderful American viewers too, and you've just encouraged me more :) I'll certainly look into this and do a video for you asap. Best wishes, and enjoy the rest of the weekend - Joel

[@judithhope8970]

You didn't mention alder. I have two common alder that are left to grow and also a beautiful cut leaved alder. Are these useful? I also have a couple of large black elders. They have lovely pink flowers and berries and are lovely ornamental trees for a small garden. If anyone doesnt want a common elder, will this do?

[@sallydavies2563]

Are all forms of dogwood good for wildlife? I’ve several small coloured stem dogwoods and have just planted a Cornus Florida, all for their aesthetics but it would be a big plus if they’re good for wildlife too. And pleased to know that spindle is shade tolerant - I know just the gap to plant one 🙂

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey Sally, sorry for the delay - I must admit it's not something I've got round to researching yet, but I certainly will. I'm also aware I owe you a response via email, will get to this as soon as I can, I promise. Best wishes - Joel

[@sallydavies2563]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton no rush - I know you’re busy. I’ve done a bit of research on the other forms of dogwood and it does seem that they are all good for wildlife as long as you don’t sacrifice the flowers by pruning too hard to get the colour of the stems. I think to get the best of both worlds you’d need to prune around a third of the stems on a 3 year cycle so that you never lose more than a third of the flowers which will go on to form berries later in the season.

[@jackstone4291]

Yeh get him on Gardeners World please! Wildlife pond build and maintenance and another time for wildlife hedging and trees and maintenance.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Jack, appreciate this a lot. One of the wildlife gardens I created appeared on Gardener's World in 2019 which alerted Dorling Kindersley and resulted in the book - I've been doing this for 20 years and I think it clear that they now know gardening for wildlife has become a trend in the last 4 years and have certainly changed the way they relay the message - but despite them knowing of me I don't think I'm "famous" enough for the show 😅😅

[@jackstone4291]

You’re defo famous enough across KZbin. (Mr Cloud Gardener has about 1% or less of your subscribers and he’s been on it a few times). You should ask them right. Could be a good spot for you. Good luck if you want to !!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@jackstone4291 Thanks so much Jack - without wishing to blow my own trumpet, if you see this link here from the landscaping website it has about the GW's episode etc and meeting Francis Tophill... who funnily enough launched "rewild your garden" about 8 months after the "wild your garden" book - which certainly made me realise they were actually listening! 🤣I made the pond for Kate Bradbury when she had the mini-series on Springwatch a few years ago too... starting to wonder if it's my hair colour 🤣 I have been on a few tv programmes but to be honest you have to follow scripts and say what you're told to say and it can be restrictive, plus despite what people think the money isn't that good and you need to take so much time out to do these programmes - there's a tv series that should be out next year or year after on BBC about wildlife gardens, I was approached by a TV co that wanted me to give them all the details of the client's gardens I'd created so that they could film them (without pay) and then said that they MIGHT consider me as a presenter... the MIGHT made it pretty clear that the info was needed and my clients, but probably not me🤣 FORGOT THE LINK! www.hazelwoodlandscapes.com/our-story

[@swh671]

Hi Joel, great video. What native plants would you recommend that I can plant at the base of a small hawthorn hedge? I want to make it as wildlife friendly as possible.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there, thank you and this is a great thing to do - the plants I would recommend that will tolerate the shade and situation are: Red Campion, Foxglove, Bluebells, Crocus, Snowdrop, Primrose, Cowslip, Hedge Woundwort, Garlic Mustard (known as Jack by the Hedge), Sweet Woodruff, Nettle-leaved Bellflower, Self Heal, Wild Strawberry, Wild Garlic... We sell all these and more on the website (www.wildyourgarden.com) and we're more than happy for you to drop us a line at [e-mail] if you need any more advice re quantities, spacing etc - but I hope this helps in the meantime - best wishes, Joel

[@swh671]

Thanks for the advice 😊

[@jane9875]

I saw what I think was a thyme hedge outside pets are us the bees were liking it anwyay

[@Tanyamerc]

Thanks!

[@LDa88]

Great info Joel, thanks! How would these do in a small garden? I want to cover my fence and do a mini hedge of sorts, along with some climbers like ivy, wild clematis etc. will these shrubs be too big for a small garden (5x7m ish)?

[@kellycarroll6829]

hi! what is the hedge plant you are standing in front of and the tree in the distance? lovely!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Kelly, the hedge I'm standing in front of has pyracantha and bramble in it - the tree behind is a Goat Willow :) Hope this helps, best wishes - Joel

[@kellycarroll6829]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton thank you I thought the hedge video was very good - hedges are so useful and beautiful! Your front garden should be interesting as it goes on too! Best!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@kellycarroll6829 You're welcome Kelly, and thank you :) Hoping the front garden inspires more people, particularly those "traditional" gardeners of ours - it's intentionally formal to intrigue and interest them, whilst educating about it's benefits :)

[@stephenhead8675]

You mentioned the protection spirals for the shrubs, are these effective against squirrels. Last year they ate the bark from my fig tree which killed it

[@MissMeganBeckett]

I haven’t been able to find any easy to find information on what area of the world you are in to know if your native plants are also native to my area.

[@terrycarkner1698]

England

[@Ulyoth]

Is there any of these or anything else that I can add in between a small existing 2 year old beech and hornbeam hedge?

[@leonienolan511]

Yes but can you name ones that are also not toxic to horses ,, i really want to divide ip field with more hedges

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Sorry but I'm certainly not a horse expert, so wouldn't be able to say which plants are good and which aren't - what I do know is most cattle and horses certainly know which plants are bad for them and will avoid them, that's how they've managed to survive millennia, before man domesticated them etc. If you're worried it would be best to google this though. Best wishes, Joel

[@stephenhead8675]

Do you have anything to protect my fig trees from squirrels, they have stripped the bark, and affected growth

[@laurajgrant]

Hiya, I wondered if you know if Corkscrew Hazel (contorta) should be as beneficial to wildlife as the regular native?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Laura - this is a good question :) Good news is that it does indeed, known as Corylis Contorta and enjoyed by many insects and in turn birds - hope this helps, best wishes - Joel

[@laurajgrant]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Fabulous news, since sometimes the more ornamental choices are useless for wildlife. Thank you. Your channel has led me to your shop and I'm eyeing up the bareroot hedging bundle - I love the option to choose

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

You're very welcome Laura, I am so glad you found the channel - please feel free to send an email to us at [e-mail] if there's any advice you need and we'll be happy to help. You're right in that a lot of ornamental plants have no value for wildlife but luckily these Hazels do :) Thank you again, Joel

[@BlancaGarcia-wv7rw]

what's the zone? please

[@robertsmithshair4199]

strong beard game going on

[@williamthomas330]

Thanks

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you William, so much - I really appreciate your generosity and will ensure this helps bring more and more videos - there's certainly endless content! Best wishes, Joel

[@padraigcullen717]

Thanks

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you for your generosity Padraig, it really is appreciated. Very best wishes, Joel

[@mattjackel474]

Thanks

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Matt, so much - I really do appreciate your generosity and will ensure it goes towards further videos to be able to encourage people to garden with wildlife in mind - best wishes, Joel

[@davidcobb8422]

Thanks

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you David, I sincerely appreciate your generosity, it makes a huge difference. Best wishes, Joel

[@davidcobb8422]

No problem Joel just carry on with the great work you are doing.

[@stuartbelton7979]

Thanks

[@keninlondon2009]

Thanks

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Ken, so much, I really appreciate your help, hope all is well with you and yours, best wishes - Joel

[@keninlondon2009]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton The pond project that you came out for in Kent at my place is proceeding slowly. We are using the location you recommended. Chatting with the neighbour farmer put me in touch with the Stour Valley Conservation Trust who viewed the site. As the Great Crested Newt is nearby they will build the pond in the fall. Then we can put in the meadow on top of clay we have excavated.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@keninlondon2009 Nearly missed this! That sounds fantastic, what a site it will be, and sight! :) Thanks for keeping in touch, drop me an email during/end of works as I'd love to see updates. Thanks again Ken

[@george-1961]

Thanks

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you George, I didn't see this until just now but I'm incredibly grateful for your generosity, it really will make a difference - best wishes, Joel