Hedgehog friendly plants, flowers?

skankinpickle

Hi. Hopefully there are some hedgehog experts here, lol.

Unfortunately I had to pull out some brambles which were taking over and swarming all over other plants and flowers. Now I have a gap and there is a big open space that leads up to near where I have only just discovered a hedgehog is nesting.
I suspect it chose this place because it was covered and now I have accidentally blown some of it's cover.

Anyone know what the best thing(s) to plant for the visiting hedgehog? Low maintenance stuff and have to be able to tolerate shade (as that is where the hedgehog(s) seem to hang out and nest?

I am thinking things that will attract hedgehog food (ceterpillars, beetles etc,) as well as provide cover.
I am aware that nothing will really grow fast enough to cover the now exposed area, but am hoping to buy an already established plant, bush etc. rather than grow from seed.

Thanks.

Obelixx

Instead of planting something you could make them a hedgehog shelter.

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-build-hedgehog-home

In the short term, piling up fallen leaves and some small branches will protect them.

AnniD

There are some ideas here
https://littlesilverhedgehog.com/2019/02/13/plants-for-hedgehogs/

and also here
https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/creating-wildlife-garden/

As @Obelixx says, piles of leaves as the trees start to shut down will help.

Just as a matter of interest, do you know if the hedgehog is still around ? (Please don't go poking around to take a look, but l was wondering if you have seen it since it was disturbed)

purplerallim

My hedgehogs love to be under the hardy geraniums,  that is why I don't cut them back after the first flower cut, but leave them to die back. A bit messy but🤷‍♀️ This year one has taken to snoozing between snacks under my hot lips salvia,  another under the twisted hazel, so ground cover and shade is all they need @skankinpickle

nutcutlet

I don't think Hedgehogs care about plants themselves, they like the cover that plants provide. So good thick planting that harbours food sources and creates cover for them

skankinpickle

purplerallim said:

My hedgehogs love to be under the hardy geraniums,  that is why I don't cut them back after the first flower cut, but leave them to die back. A bit messy but🤷‍♀️ This year one has taken to snoozing between snacks under my hot lips salvia,  another under the twisted hazel, so ground cover and shade is all they need @skankinpickle

nutcutlet said:

I don't think Hedgehogs care about plants themselves, they like the cover that plants provide. So good thick planting that harbours food sources and creates cover for them

 Hi. I was more thinking about the food sources. I.e. - plants that attract things hedgehogs eat (beetles etc.).

skankinpickle

Obelixx said:

Instead of planting something you could make them a hedgehog shelter.

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-build-hedgehog-home

In the short term, piling up fallen leaves and some small branches will protect them.

I actually have an unlived in hedgehog home in the garden. 

This is why I did not think we even had a hedgehog living in the garden until I accidentally almost destroyed it's leaf home.

AnniD

There is loads of information here as well @skankinpickle (l could go on for ages ! ), but basically if you have plants in your garden that slugs, snails and various other beasties love, and there are hedgehogs in the area, then if they can gain access they will come.

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/animals/hedgehogs/garden

As you've discovered, areas of cover are also very important. 
If you can't see the hedgehog, it's possible that it's gone deeper undercover as it were, but it may also have moved.
If you do see it out and about from dusk onwards then it shouldn't be anything to be concerned about, but my only worry is that there may (and l stress may), be hoglets. If Mum has been disturbed she could abandon them , which is why l wondered if you were able to see any sign of the hedgehog without getting too close.
Do you have a trailcam? 

skankinpickle

The hedgehog in question from last September did indeed move on after being disturbed.

Also the ready made hedgehog home that has been out in the garden for almost 3 years now still remains empty, so it did not fancy taking up residence there instead.
It remains full of woodlice and spiders . . . 

AnniD

Give it time @skankinpickle. It can take several years for a hedgehog to decide to set up home, and they may not stay in it for any length of time. I believe l'm right in saying that they can move from house to house over the warmer months, playing the hedgehog equivalent of musical chairs.

Dovefromabove

Hedgehogs roam over quite a wide area so although ‘yours’ may not actually sleep/hibernate in your garden, it may still form part of its ‘home range’ and it’ll visit your garden most nights. 🦔 🦔 🦔