Native Plants for Stockproof Hedges

If you are interested in buying plants to make a stockproof hedge, in addition to the individual species listed below you might also like to look at our conservation hedge mix or stock friendly hedge mix.
All the plants are bare root, and are consequently available for delivery from November until March, depending on weather conditions. We will only charge your debit/credit card when the trees are ready for delivery.

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) Blackthorn is a fine hedge plant, slow growing but suckering freely and having needle like spines. Its habit makes it a fabulous refuge for small birds and mammals, who feast on its sloes, and a raft of moth and butterfly caterpillars feed on it. It is tough as old boots, and as a hedge plant lays well and forms a good stockproof - and people proof - barrier. Its prolific white flowers are an important nectar source in spring. View more information and

Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris) The Crab Apple is a small tree of woods and hedges throughout Britain. It's relatively scarce; mostly you will now find cultivated varieties or "wilding" apple trees. The Crab's extended flowering period (pretty pale pink blossom) is helpful for bees as much as it is for cross pollinating other apple trees, and its fruit makes delicious jelly for us and good winter eating for the birds. View more information and

Common Gorse (Ulex europaeus) Gorse is a very spiny, fast growing evergreen shrub that bears masses of intense Broom-like yellow flowers from January to June . It is happiest on dry sandy soils with a southerly aspect. Its habit makes it a great refuge for small birds and mammals, and its flowers are a good source of nectar for bees and butterflies. It is also a food plant for several moth and butterfly larvae. View more information and

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) The Hawthorn or Quickthorn is a fast growing tree, beautiful in flower. Its habit makes it an ideal refuge for small birds, who feast on its red fruit. It is tolerant of most conditions, and as a hedging plant lays well and forms a good stockproof - and people proof - barrier. View more information and

Common Holly (Ilex aquifolium) Holly is slow growing but tremendously useful, not only as an impenetrable evergreen screen, but also as it is very hardy; it grows in deep shade and on a wide range of well drained soil types. It is a good protective habitat for birds and small mammals, and of course they love the female plant's berries. Iti is the food plant of the Holly Blue. It transplants poorly, and we consequently sell it in containers rather than bare root. View more information and