Native hedges are ones that you can see in fields throughout the countryside. They are a place for wildlife to live. The planting of a native hedge using an assortment of plants can provide a variety of interests all through the entire year.
This is the best time to plant. You plant native hedges when the plants are in dormancy that is, from December until the final day of March. The majority of native hedgerows consist up of Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel and Field Maple plus a mixture of different species. The exact mixture depends on where you live in the countryside. A mix of plants means that you will be able to observe flowers all through the summer and spring as well as a variety of autumn colours and berries later on in the year. Birds will build nests within the hedge, and will be provided with the fruits and seeds that the hedge gives. Hedging plants that are native to the area, with no roots, are available now from ready hedge. Here are a few native plants we carry to hedge:
Hawthorn (sometimes known as Quickthorn (also known as Maythorn) Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna
Blackthorn is Prunus spinosa
Hazel - Corylus avellana
Field Maple Field Maple Acer campestre
The Dogwood is Cornus sanguinea
Beech - Fagus sylvatica
Copper or purple Beech Copper or Purple Beech Fagus Sylvatica purpurea
Hornbeam - Carpinus betulus
Guelder Rose - Viburnum opulus
Spindle - Euonymus europaeus
Ramanas Rose - Rosa rugosa
Dog Rose - Rosa canina
Sweet Briar Rose - Rosa rubiginosa
The plants are usually sold at around 2 feet (60cm) tall, bare-root "whips". They are taken from the ground and are placed straight in the soil. They are therefore bare-rooted , and are not cultivated in pots. These are the most suitable plants for planting an indigenous hedge.
To create a dense hedge to establish a thick hedge, plant it in two staggered rows. The rows should be being 30cm (12in) away. The planting should be arranged with the plants placed 45cm (18in) from every row (i.e. one plant per 9 inches).
Go to Our Garden Centre for advice on what varieties to pick and in what proportions. The majority of native species are deciduous (they shed their leaves during the winter) Therefore, if you're looking for an evergreen hedge for your garden, or an easier and more immediate hedge, select from our evergreen plants to create an edging (Laurel, Portugese Laurel, Griselinia Photinia, Red Robin, Leylandii, Golden Leylandii and more). The typical evergreen hedge would be planted in a single kind, but it is possible to mix the species to form more informal hedges If you prefer.
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