Wildlife hedge
First Post so Hello 🙂.... I'm replanting my garden hedge after cutting down a wild privet, which was devoid of wildlife! I have a few pyracantha here but was wondering what would be the better. A pyracantha hedge or Hawthorn for nesting birds etc, probably over thinking it, as they're both good. Thanks in advance
Gareth
Gareth
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If you have room for a tree I'd recommend the native Acer campestre - field maple, lovely foliage which turns bright yellow in Autumn.
Pyracantha is certainly great - the flowers and berries are brilliant for wildlife, and it provides a good backdrop for other planting etc, however it depends on your view about the thorns. Holly would also be great. Both evergreen.
If you simply want something which looks nice in different seasons, hornbeam and beech are ideal, and easy to maintain.
It really depends on how much time you want to spend clipping and trimming anything.
You could also have simple trellis screens and plant climbers on them for a decorative divide. Those would provide all sorts of benefits for wildlife, and if deciduous, you'd see beyond them to the other parts of the garden in winter. They'd be good for hanging bird feeders on as well, which brings the birds nearer your house so that you can watch them.
I still can't see the point of another similar hedge when you have one which birds use and enjoy, but perhaps I'm mssing something !