Vigilis Bio Shrub Shelter

About Vigilis Bio Shrub Shelter

Phoenix Amenity supplies the Vigilis Bio Shrub Shelter, a 100% soil-biodegradable, plastic-free shrub guard developed for shrubs, hedgerow plants and small broadleaves that need more room than a narrow tree tube allows. It protects establishing growth from rabbits and hares, then biodegrades naturally in the soil once the plant is established. That avoids the retrieval labour, microplastics and landfill of conventional plastic guards, which suits hedgerow and mixed-planting schemes where returning to collect guards afterwards is difficult or impractical. Visit the Vigilis Bio Shrub Shelter product page for full manufacturer specifications.

Plastic-free protection for hedgerow planting, rewilding and grant-funded schemes

The Vigilis Bio Shrub Shelter has a wider profile than a tube-style tree shelter, giving bushy, multi-stemmed native shrubs and hedgerow species such as hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, dog rose, dogwood, guelder rose, elder and field maple the room to establish, while protecting them from rabbits and hares. Once the plant is established, it biodegrades in the soil, so there is no need to return and collect guards from hedgerow, farm wildlife or rewilding schemes.

• Breaks down naturally in the soil once established, so there is no retrieval labour, plastic to recover or landfill at end of life.
• Made from a patented plant-based material, derived from potato, wood and corn, that degrades at normal soil temperatures (around 20°C); it is soil-biodegradable to ISO 17556, with no microplastics or harmful residues.
• Has a wider profile than a narrow tree tube, giving multi-stemmed shrubs and hedgerow plants room to establish without constricting lateral growth.
• Comes in two sizes: Standard (130–160mm) for single-stemmed hedgerow whips, and XL (160–200mm) for broader, bushier species that need more room to establish.
• Biodegradable guards are accepted, and often preferred, on Countryside Stewardship hedgerow agreements and similar schemes where plastic reduction is an objective. Check the conditions of your agreement with your scheme adviser; data sheets are available on request.
• Developed with more than £360,000 of Innovate UK R&D funding and validated in the UK’s largest independent field trial for a biodegradable tree guard; results are available on request.
• Supplied with pre-fitted Vigilis BioTie biodegradable, non-releasable cable ties for fixing to a stake: the whole system is plastic-free.

Which size do I need?

The Bio Shrub Shelter comes in two diameters, Standard (130–160mm) and XL (160–200mm), each available in 0.6m and 0.75m heights. Choose the diameter to match the plant’s growth habit and the height to match the browsing threat. All sizes suit native shrubs, hedgerow species and small broadleaves, and can be used for conifers where rabbit pressure is present.

Specifications

*Timeframes are approximate and vary with environmental conditions; provided for guidance only.

How to install a Vigilis Bio Shrub Shelter

Slide the shelter over the shrub or hedgerow plant after planting and drive a stake in alongside the guard rather than through the rootball. Secure the shelter to the stake using the pre-fitted Vigilis BioTie cable ties. Because the shelter is designed to break down in the soil, leave it in place at the end of its working life: there is nothing to collect. Store shelters undercover, in cool, dry conditions and out of direct sunlight, before use. Keep them upright with nothing stacked on top, since UV exposure will shorten their working life.

Frequently asked questions

What makes the Bio Shrub Shelter biodegradable?

It is made from a patented plant-based material that breaks down through natural microbial activity in the soil. It contains no conventional plastic and needs no collection at end of life. The guard degrades safely in place, which cuts whole-life management costs and leaves no plastic waste in the hedgerow or planting scheme.

How long does the Bio Shrub Shelter last?

It has a functional life of at least three years, which covers the critical establishment phase. After that, the material begins to biodegrade in the soil over approximately a further three years. The degradation rate varies with soil and climate, so these figures are for guidance only.

Is it suitable for grant-funded hedgerow schemes?

Biodegradable guards are accepted, and often preferred, on Countryside Stewardship hedgerow agreements and similar grant-funded schemes where reducing plastic is an objective. Always check the specific conditions of your agreement with your scheme adviser; data sheets and supporting documentation are available on request.

What is the difference between the Standard and XL Bio Shrub Shelter?

The XL has a larger internal diameter (160–200mm) than the Standard (130–160mm), so bushier, multi-stemmed or spreading species have more room to establish. Choose the Standard for single-stemmed hedgerow whips such as hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel and field maple, and the XL for broader species or where you want more lateral growth inside the guard.

Can I mix Bio Shrub Shelters with recyclable guards on the same scheme?

Yes. Many planting projects use a combination: biodegradable guards where post-planting access is difficult, and recyclable guards where collection is straightforward. Both offer the same browsing protection and install in the same way, so mixing them on a single site is simple to manage. The recyclable Vigilis Shrub Shelter is also available in the same Standard and XL sizes. For hedging whips and single-stemmed species where a spiral guard is more appropriate than a rigid shelter, see also the Vigilis Bio Hedge Wrap and Vigilis Hedge Wrap. For tree planting, the Vigilis Bio Tree Shelter and Vigilis Standard Tree Shelter cover the full range.

Does the Bio Shrub Shelter protect against deer?

No. It is sized for rabbit and hare protection. Where deer are present, use a taller tree shelter or mesh guard at the appropriate height for the species, or plant within a deer-fenced enclosure.