Plant a hedge or a hedge again
Source: Dutch Society for the Protection of Birds
Bring the hedges and hedges back into the gardens! Many birds that like to build their nests in bushes are struggling. Over the years, many hedges in our country have been replaced by fences and pieces of greenery have been replaced by tiles. Gone is the nursery and food source for the birds. So join the plant! Place a hedge, hedge or shrub and kill two birds with one stone. You’ll be doing yourself a favor: a greener garden full of life and at the same time helping birds like the blackbird and long-tailed tremendously.
It was striking news from the Urban Bird Balance that the Dutch Society for the Protection of Birds commissioned from Sovon Bird Research. There are fewer and fewer of the birds that use the shrubs in our gardens and parks.
Blackbirds, song thrushes, long-tailed, greenfinches and wrens: they are struggling. They are the birds that build their nests in the bushes or on the ground under a bush and that look for their food in the greenery in the area. The conclusion is obvious. Clutter corners are replaced by lawns or tiles and shrubs and hedges are replaced by fences. But we can do something about that!
One hedge: good for hundreds of species
Hedges have many advantages. They provide privacy and shelter from wind and weather. They do allow a little bit of wind to pass through, so that they don’t blow over as quickly as fences in a strong storm. But hedges mainly serve as a food source and habitat for birds and the many other animals in the area. Hundreds of species of wild animals can live in, on and under a hedge: insects and other invertebrates, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds.
Plant now!
Autumn and early winter before frost is the perfect season to plant a hedge (or hedge or shrub). As long as it doesn’t freeze yet and there is enough rain. This allows the plant to root well and flower fully in the spring. Do plant a native species. Native means that the plants occur naturally here and thus have a strong relationship with the insects and birds that live here. Sometimes they can’t live without each other. Another tip: do you have a small garden? Then plant a small hedge, for example in a corner of the garden. You can make it as big, or as small as you want.
Hedge or hedge?
What is the difference between a hedge and a hedge? It’s all in the editing. A hedge is a dense row of shrubs that grow freely and is pruned from time to time. A hedge is a dense row of mostly the same shrubs that is pruned annually.
The hedge is therefore a bit rougher and wilder and can bear more flowers and fruits. Is the garden too small for a hedge or hedge? Then place a loose shrub, or consider a climbing plant.
Which hedge or hedge? The best hedges are made up of different types of plants, which bloom and bear berries at different times. In this way, the hedge has something to offer to the birds and other hedge users all year round.
A few examples of hedges
Haagbeuk (Carpinus betulus), Beuk (Fagus sylvatica),
Wilde liguster (Ligustrum vulgare), Taxus (Taxus baccata),
Holly (Ilex aquifolium), Field maple (Acer campestre)
A few examples of shrubs that can be put together in a hedge
Gelderse rose (Viburnum opulus), Hondsrose (Rosa canina), Meidoorn (Crataegus monogyna), Sleedoorn (Prunus spinosa)Vlier (Sambucus nigra), Vogelkers (Prunus padus)
Zuurbes (Berberis vulgaris), Rode bosbes/ vossebes (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)
Cornus mas, Cornus (Cornus sanguinea)
Photo gelderse rose, hawthorn, birdcandle, yellow dogwood
Of course, you can grow a hedge or hedge as high as you want. Wondering how bird-friendly your garden is? Then take a critical look at the whole thing. If you were a bird yourself, would you be able to take shelter here? Is there food to be found and a nest to build?
Birds love layering in the garden, which means they can find what they need both on the ground and in a tree. Think of a flowery lawn, ground covers and herbs on the ground. Go more up with shrubs and hedges and end with a tree. The more layering there is in a garden, the more ideal the garden is for different birds. So join the plant and make a hedge or hedge. Everything for a bird-friendly garden, which you can also enjoy a lot.
Have fun with the hedge / hedge with flowers and later fruits and therefore
Lots of birds in your garden!