Plant an Informal Hedge

Thorny Barriers

An informal wildlife hedge can also double as a barrier to deter intruders because many wildlife-friendly plants are covered in vicious spikes and thorns. Deer will avoid barriers thatlook tricky or painful to negotiate and are more likely to go elsewhere for easier pickings. Many roses also make beautiful but fearsome hedges.

Plant Options:
Darwin barberry
blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)
dog rose (Rosa canina)
field maple (Acer campestre)
guelder rose (Viburnum opulus)
hawthorn (Crataegus)
hazel (Corylus avellana)
holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Rosa glauca)

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Site and Soil

Most hedging plants, including roses and the other plants used here, prefer a sunny site with well-drained and fertile soil. If your soil isn't perfect, spend some time preparing the ground by digging in plenty of organic matter down to a shovel's depth.

Plant Species Roses

Species roses, which are ideal for hedges, don't have a graft union, so they're planted at the same depth they were growing at in their pots or in the field.