Hedgerow - Folklore, Flora and Creative Energy

Introduction

Living in North Devon means being surrounded by hedgerows—those glorious, tangled corridors of life that define our lanes and footpaths. They’re not just background scenery to me; they’re a constant source of inspiration, a living scrapbook of British flora and folklore.

The Richness of the Hedgerow

Whether walking or driving the lanes, there’s always something new to spot. Hawthorn, beech, elder, dog rose, honeysuckle, cow parsley, blackberry, daisies—and yes, foxgloves—jostle for space in these living boundaries. The sheer diversity is staggering. Green on green is mesmerising on its own, but when you add in bursts of flower colour, insects, birds, and the odd sleepy snail, it becomes a collage of life and movement.

Magic and Myth at the Margins

Hedgerows are deeply woven into the folklore of the British Isles. Plants like hawthorn and elder are said to be imbued with fairy magic and protective qualities. Blackthorn, with its fierce thorns, has long been associated with dark magic and witches—I’d argue that’s fair enough, considering the scratches it leaves! Honeysuckle symbolises love and good fortune, while daisies carry meanings of innocence and purity.

In folklore, hedges also represent thresholds—the in-between places that mark the boundary between safety and the wild beyond. There's a powerful symbolism in that, and it's one I often find myself drawing on in life and work.

Carousel Lampshade in pink on grey background

A Living History

Hedgerows have a complicated history, deeply tied to human history.  I was surprised to learn how ancient British hedgerows are—some date back to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Of course, they had a complicated period during the Enclosure Acts of the 16th to 18th centuries, and many were lost after WWII due to industrial farming. But more recently, there’s a growing awareness of their ecological value—for wildlife, yes, but also for soil health, water retention, and even carbon capture.

Their resilience and adaptability make them even more worthy of celebration.

Hedgerow in Design

In a previous post ‘Foxglove’, I described a linear repeat pattern. In this design, I’ve created a true repeat pattern which draws heavily on the jumble and vibrancy of hedgerows. At the heart of the design is the foxglove surrounded by honeysuckle, dog rose, and butterflies—creating a textured, layered effect that mimics the natural tangle of plant life along the lanes.

Creating this kind of design by hand takes a bit of mental gymnastics. To build a true repeat, I start by dividing a first draft of a design into four equal sections, then shift the outer edges into the centre—this reveals gaps, which I carefully fill in before reassembling the whole image. It’s a slow, methodical process, but immensely satisfying. The result is a block that prints seamlessly,  a flowing pattern that echoes the layered, organic sprawl of a summer hedgerow.

Printed in repeat, the design becomes a richly textured fabric, ideal for lampshades and cushions. So far, I’ve explored it in two colourways, but the possibilities feel as boundless as the hedgerows themselves—each walk seems to offer a new palette to try.

The hedgerow, like the foxglove, offers endless design potential. Every walk brings new colour combinations, new shapes, new stories to tell through pattern and print.

Pretty in pink - Hedgerow lampshade and cushion set

Conclusion

Hedgerows are so much more than unruly green walls—they’re living heritage, rich with story, beauty, and biodiversity. Whether inspiring a fabric design or offering a quiet moment of reflection during a walk, they are a gift I never tire of receiving.