Did you know that we've lost more than half of our rural hedges in the past 50 years? As more Londoners dig out their front gardens for off-street parking, we are slowly turning a once pretty green landscape into a lifeless grey city. 

Many of us have the luxury of escaping to our very own green havens, also known as our gardens. Whether you prefer a low-maintenace, decking-clad garden or a full-on grassy, forest-like garden, hedges hugely benefit many things that you may not have considered.

Firstly, hedges look great. There are so many species to choose from, evergreens or native hedges, that will take your garden from summer to winter seamlessly. Many native hedges produce colourful berries, flowers and leaves throughout the year, making them a great choice for effortless beauty. Of course, if you have the space, you can grow large hedges and trim them into different shapes and even animals!

Secondly, and probably most importantly, hedges provide a safe-haven for our dwindling wildlife. With more people choosing to lay their gardens with stones and decking, our wildlife has less places to live and roam. Birds will be delighted with a new nesting site and feed on the berries, seeds and any insects and spiders lurking in this new found haven. Smaller mammals will use the base of the hedgerow for shelter and will soon add it to their network of trails.

Finally, hedges are GREAT for the environment. They have a role to play in taking greenhouse gases out of circulation through carbon storage, if they are allowed to expand in size. Increasingly, they are valued too for the major role they have to play in preventing soil loss and reducing pollution, and for their potential to regulate water supply and to reduce flooding.

The great thing about hedges is that they aren't high-maintenance. Yes, you need to trim them, but that's only once or twice a year. The benefits far out-weigh the maintenance, and before you know it, your garden will be the best in the area for your local wildlife.

If you have a small garden it may be impractical to plant a hedge, but the alternative – a bare fence – can cause air turbulence and temperature extremes, neither of which is beneficial to animals. The solution is to cover the fence with climbers such as ivy, hops, clematis or dog rose, creating shelter for insects and spiders. Plant Pyracantha, Berberis and Cotoneaster beside the fence to provide berries for birds in the autumn.

If you need help with planting or maintaining your hedges, or even removing any unwanted bushes or trees, GraftinGardeners have all the expertise to help you. Give them a call for a free quotation on 0208 123 7653, or take a look at the services they offer here www.graftingardeners.co.uk