Hedges, particularly those made up of native species, are an important place for butterflies and moths to find nectar, food for their caterpillars, and somewhere to shelter. If you already have an established hedge in your Wild Space, follow our tips for how you can make it even more wildlife friendly.
Don’t trim.
A messy hedge is a brilliant place for wildlife to thrive – particularly butterflies and moths! Many species will lay their eggs amongst the branches of hedges and caterpillars can be found feeding on hedges, too. If you trim your hedge too often, you could damage these butterflies and moths at an important stage of their lifecycle.
Fill in the gaps
The space beneath and near a hedge can be an important place for butterflies and moths. Adding flowers beneath your hedge can help boost nectar sources and egg laying spots, as well as creating more places for butterflies and moths and their caterpillars to shelter and pupate.
Some great species to plant beneath your hedge include:
Or, of course, you can just let your grass grow tall beneath your hedge – this will help species like Speckled Wood which enjoy visiting hedges and trees with long grass beneath.
Add a climber
To add diversity to an existing hedge, add a climbing plant like honeysuckle. There are a variety of different honeysuckle species, the native Lonicera periclymenum is a fantastic option for butterflies and moths, but almost any honeysuckle species will provide a boost of nectar. Dog Roses can also help attract butterflies and moths and, for more mature hedges, Ivy is a brilliant climber that provides food for caterpillars of species like the Holly Blue, as well as a late source of nectar for butterflies like the Red Admiral, which can fly late into the year.
For more tips and ideas, visit our info hub.
