I’m a bit fascinated with hedges. So much so that I even have a few hedge witch books on my bookshelf (1, 2, 3)–purely for research purposes . . . or is it! I even started to write a fantasy novel where the hedge plays a major role in the plot (still working on it—don’t expect it anytime soon), but I’m no hedge monkey, although some of them make pretty music.
Hedges are a diverse habitat for many woodland species; sadly, hedges are sometimes the only environment left for these species, which is why there is a movement in Britain to protect them. Natural hedges are formed from wind-dispersed seeds and the seeds in bird droppings. There are generally shrubs and trees, too. Overtime, these plants grow thick; get interspersed with vines, brambles, and wildflowers. This ecosystem provides food, shelter, nesting and denning sites for a variety of wildlife. Acting as corridors, they also offer safe passage for wildlife (or perhaps even elves and faeries!) In folklore, the hedgerow was one of the boundaries between the human world and the spirit world.
For those who find themselves of the human persuasion, hedges muffle sound, make good wind breaks, and provide privacy, foraging opportunities, as well as being pretty to look at. I personally enjoy watching the birds and bees fly about.
I spend a lot of “garden time” (similar to “me time”) exploring the hedge. The former owners mowed the lawn right to the edge of the woods. We’re too lazy for that, and so a hedge has begun to grow in its place. I’m learning about the plants growing there, and how to maintain and help the hedge develop. For example, I have some Mountain Ashes—a protective, magical tree—that stand in the back. In these areas I would like to clean up the hedge a bit, put in a stone path up to the trees and a little sitting area so I can spend time with them and not worry about ticks and thorns. I would plant a variety of native woodland species in the surrounding area. For my hedges in general, I would also like to plant more native shrubs and trees to improve upon the diversity in a few different spots—the rest I will let develop naturally. If the native plants have food or medicinal uses as well, all the better.
Just a few of the plants growing in my hedges:
Northern Wild Raisin
Mountain Ash
Golden Rod
Evening Primrose
Wild Rose
Yarrow
Asters
Old apple trees
Brambles (blackberries and raspberries)
For more information, see my resources:
http://www.ofnc.ca/fletcher/howto/hthedge_e.php
http://www.hedgerowharvest.org.uk/
http://www.opalexplorenature.org/HedgesFactandFolklore
http://www.opalexplorenature.org/sites/default/files/7/file/Top-10-hedge-tips.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedge
