Native plants for the woodland edge
This table lists some native plants that will grow well at the edge of a copse or hedge. They thrive in partial shade, so the best situation is either east- or west-facing. If you have large enough overhanging trees to cast shade, south-facing should also be OK. Aim for a diverse range of plants with a good proportion of native species.
For maximum diversity of wildlife, the vegetation should grade down gradually from the tallest trees to grassland. If you have space, scatter a few shrubs along in front of the hedge, with perennial plants between and in front of them. Group the shrubs to create a wavy edge and maximise the length of the edge zone.
| Height (cm) | Sun | Soil | Flower time | Flower colour | |
| Betony Stachys officinalis | 20-60 |   |
M | 6-8 | mauve |
| Bluebell Hyacinthus non-scripta | 20-30 |  |
5-6 | blue | |
| Bugle Ajuga reptans | 10-15 | |
4-11 | blue | |
| Butcher's broom Ruscus aculeatus | 40-60 | |
1-4 | white | |
| Columbine Aquilegia vulgaris | 60-90 | |
5-7 | violet | |
| Devilsbit scabious Succisa pratensis | 60-90 | |
7-9 | blue | |
| Foxglove Digitalis purpurea | 90-150 | |
6-9 | mauve | |
| Ground ivy Glechoma hederacea | 10-30 | |
3-5 | mauve | |
| Herb bennet/Wood avens Geum urbanum | 30-60 | |
5-9 | yellow | |
| Herb robert Geranium robertianum | 20-40 | |
4-9 | pink | |
| Stinking iris Iris foetidissima | 40-60 | |
5-7 | purple | |
| Lesser celandine Ranunculus ficaria | 10-20 | |
3-5 | yellow | |
| Lords-and-ladies Arum maculatum | 30-50 | |
4-8 | green | |
| Lily-of-the-valley Convallaria majalis | 10-20 | |
5-6 | white | |
| Monkshood Aconitum napellus | 60-90 | |
M | 5-9 | violet |
| Perforate St John's Wort Hypericum perforatum | 30-90 | |
6-9 | yellow | |
| Primrose Primula vulgaris | 10-15 | |
3-6 | yellow | |
| Red campion Silene dioica | 30-90 | |
3-11 | pink | |
| Solomon's-seal Polygonatum multiflorum | 30-80 | |
5-6 | white | |
| Stinking hellebore Helleborus foetidus | 20-40 | |
C | 1-5 | green |
| Sweet cicely Myrrhis odorata | 60-90 | |
5-6 | white | |
| Common dog violet Viola riviniana | 5-10 | |
3-5 | blue | |
| Sweet violet Viola odorata | 10-15 | |
3-5, 8-9 | violet/white | |
| Water avens Geum rivale | 45-60 | |
M | 4-9 | pink |
| Wild daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus | 20-25 | |
3-4 | yellow | |
| Wood anemone Anemone nemorosa | 15 | |
3-4 | white | |
| Wood spurge Euphorbia amygdaloides | 30-60 | |
3-4 | yellow | |
| Wood sage Teucrium scorodonia | 60-90 | |
7-9 | yellow | |
| Wood vetch Vicia sylvatica | 60-90 | |
6-8 | lilac | |
| Woodruff Galium odoratum | 20-30 | |
4-6 | white | |
| Yellow archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon | 30-60 | |
5-6 | yellow | |
| Sun or shade: = sun; = semi-shade; = shade |
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| Soil: M = moist; C = chalky/alkaline | |||||