Hedge Suggestions

treascon09 · Hazel Tree Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 16

Anyone have any suggestions of a hedge to grow mainly to provide shelter. As you can see in the pics it will divide a field and gets all the prevailing winds. I have tipped all the grass cuttings along the area hoping it would be a boost when i sow the hedge. All ideas welcomed as the area is quite big and a blank canvas for now!! Thanks in advance

michael brenock · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 10:34 pm Post subject:

The house appears to be exposed to the South West the prevailing Wind which is not the coldest but can be the strongest > The land appears to be quite good judging the grass growth. There are a number of factors to be considered before you plant any hedge, what height do you want it, evergreen or deciduous (sheds and renews leaves annually), colour, light dark green or grey. Consider, Laurel, bay laurel, Cotoneaster species, Pittosporum, Olearia species, Viburnums, Privets, Berberis species, (escallonias would have been an option but are being attacked by a fungus at present), beech, Holly and Spotted laurel.
Michael brenock Horticultural advisor (retired)

Sive · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:17 am Post subject:

HI there, we have planted a hedge last year in very similar ( and windy ) circumstances and it is thriving. We planted a mixture of native hedging plants as we wanted it to look natural in the landscape and to benefit wildlife too......and we certainly don't want to be clipping a formal hedge of 100 metres long! The other advantage of a mixed hedge is that you can add dog roses and fuschia to give you the odd splash of colour......a solid hedge of either would be too gaudy and unnatural in your setting.
Go Native !
Put in a search on this site and you'll find great lists of native hedging plants. Get bare-rooted whips and in a couple of years you'll have the makings of a great hedge.

Sive · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:24 am Post subject:

http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/about1031.html

Try this link ! Not sure how to connect you to the relevant post, hope this works.

treascon09 · Hazel Tree Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 16

Thanks for that Michael and Sive. Was thinking of some kind of Laural but a native and natural hedge sounds good. Less formal. (maybe laural is native? I dont know). What spacings did you plant the hedge? How many would I need. About 70m long

James Kilkelly, was GPI. · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:38 pm Post subject:

Most spacings listed here treascon09....... Hedge varieties

Sive · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 11:08 pm Post subject:

Hi Treascon 09, I think you'll be delighted with a mixed hedge as there will be interest in it all the year round. We planted 100 metres last year....at spacing of about 18 inches to 2 feet I think, I'll check tomorrow in daylight and tell you for certain then.
The other good thing about a mixed hedge is that you may get the odd casualty, but you'll soon see which varieties are thriving and they will fill out any gaps.
I have seen a 7-year old hedge, with trees in it as well, all originally planted as mere whips and young saplings, and you wouldn't believe what a magnificent sight it is now. It looks as if it has been there for ever.
By the way, what part of the country are you in ?

treascon09 · Hazel Tree Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 16

Hi Sive, Thanks for that. I am determined to get the hedge sown this year, I suppose you wouldn't feel the years slip by before the hedge will be mature. Im living in Portarlington by the way.

Sive · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:22 am Post subject:

Good luck with that......I only asked about your location as I wondered if you were near Wexford, as we have a found a very good supplier near us here, and he plants the hedges too.
No doubt you'll find good nurseries near you too.
By the way, our hedging plants are spaced at between 18 inches and two feet apart, just as I thought.
And once you have it planted, I believe the most important thing is to keep the ground at its base free of weeds and grass until it establishes. We were lucky (????) with the wet summer, we didn't once have to consider if the new hedge needed watering!

frengers80 · Hazel Tree Joined: 23 Sep 2009 Posts: 14 Location: DUBLIN

hi,good luck with your new hedge,i would also recommend the native approach.find a good local nursery not a garden centre and thy should be able to supply large quantities at very low cost.My only advise to you is in relation to your grass cuttings,you will find that it has turned into an oily mess now with all the rain and is going to be quite hard to plant through.I would also avoid using fresh grass cuttings as a mulch around you new plants as it will rob them of vital nutrients,make sure you compost them down first.all the best with you project