Ivy Talk: How and Why to Grow Hedgerows

Hedgerows, living fences made of trees and shrubs, support biodiverse populations of birds, mammals, and insects. Originally popularized in the United Kingdom, this technique for growing a living boundary can be put into practice in Central Virginia. In this talk, Piedmont Master Gardener Volunteer Claire Denton-Spalding will speak about the history of hedgerows and benefits to native plants and animals. She will also share information and best practices about how to plant a hedgerow in the Piedmont area.

Claire Denton-Spalding is a consultant for the federal government and became a master gardener volunteer in 2023. Her earliest gardening memory is of making an English-style garden in her backyard as a school project in 8th grade, so an interest in hedgerows is a natural outgrowth of that project. Claire has grown an English style cottage garden in front of her townhouse, using native plants and herbs and grows food at her Azalea Park community garden plot. In addition to Master Gardener, she is a Charlottesville Area Tree Steward and has a certificate in Permaculture Design from the University of Richmond.