The boundary of our gardens gives us a sense of ownership and privacy and are one of the first things to get replaced or fixed. Most gardens have fencing now but hedges are a much prettier and valuable enclosure. I dont mean those all to popular conifer hedges, which granted are fast growing and fairly easy to look after. And yes they do have birds nesting in them so they could be argued to be valuable. But in my opinion thats where their value ends. Most will not support the food for the birds that nest there and quiet frankly they are boring.
A native hedge has the reputation for being high maintenance but I dont believe they are. They act as wildlife super highways through our urbanized environment and they have colour all year. What more could you want. Unfortunately most people dont see this as many of our hedges have been left to go to rack and ruin or ripped out completely. The ones that have survived have limited species mostly field maple and blackthorn and so they dont look as attractive as they could.
The best time to give your hedges a make over (or start a new one) is now. The bare root season is from November until late March and this means that plants are not only cheaper but easier to install. You can even choose the type of hedge you would like.
So if you fancy a bit of foraging try a fruiting hedge with the plants below:
Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn)
Corylus avellana (Hazel)
Malus sylvestris (crab apple)
Rosa canina (Dog rose)
Sambucus (Elderberry)
Damson
Pyrus communis (wild pear)
Blackberry
A flowering hedge would look great with these plants:
Rosa Canina (Dog rose)
Prunus padus (Bird cherry)
Malus sylvestris (Crab apple)
Viburnum opulus (Guelder rose)
Amelanchier lamarckii (June berry)
Prunus avium (Wild cherry)
Euonymus europaeus (Spindle)
And a hedge for wildlife needs a good variety like these:
Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn)
Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn)
Corylus avellana (Hazel)
Cornus sanguinea (Common Dogwood)
Acer campestre (Field Maple)
Coastal hedging mix:
Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn)
Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn)
Rosa Canina (Dog rose)
Acer campestre (Field Maple)
Sambucus (Elderberry)
Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea buckthorn)
There are lots more choices so do a little research about the look you want from your hedge before you commit. You will need to plant in a single or double row, the choice is yours but a double row will have a thicker and fuller look.
If you would like us to come and give some advice about the type of plants that would suit your garden or if you would like help in planting your hedge then drop us a line Contact Us
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