Suitable Native Hedge for exposed site Donegal
|
Author |
Message |
Gary1983 Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 21 Feb 2013 Posts: 5
|
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 4:06 pm Post subject: Suitable Native Hedge for exposed site Donegal |
|
|
Hi all this is my first post I set a Leylandii hedge around my site boundary 4 years ago it has not thrived at all and I dug them all out last week , the soil is cold wet very heavy with a blue clay base after about a foot , the soil would have poor enough drainage but my biggest problem seemed to be the wind, I am thinking along the lines of a double row of whitethorn hedge has anyone any suggestions I have a very large site and I want to split it into small gardens and need to find the ideal hedge preferable formal that will grow in the wilds of Donegal, have tried some escallonia but wind blew it to bits and bad winters destroyed the rest, was thinking aslo about willows?? any suggestions would be greatly appreciated this is a fantastic site. Thanks, |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
kindredspirit Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 10 Nov 2008 Posts: 2300 Location: Mid-west.
|
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 5:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
What other trees are growing around you? I'd copy ones that are growing with neighbours if the site is that difficult.
No tree will grow properly in a constant wind. Wet clayey soil suggests Willows and Alder. If Leylandi and Escallonia didn't make it, then it's going to be a hard one to solve. _________________ .
.
.
.
A little garden in Co. Limerick. Some non-gardening photographs. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Gary1983 Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 21 Feb 2013 Posts: 5
|
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 6:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks, there are hawthorn alder and willow growing very well around me , do you know how Whitethorn hedges would grow in average soil conditions there are no rushes in the lawn |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Gary1983 Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 21 Feb 2013 Posts: 5
|
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 6:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I should have mentioned the escallonia did grow but a severe storm wrecked them |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
kindredspirit Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 10 Nov 2008 Posts: 2300 Location: Mid-west.
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Gary1983 Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 21 Feb 2013 Posts: 5
|
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 7:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks, have thought about willow but not sure how they will look around the house liked the idea of the white flower on the Whitethorn |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Good guy Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 11 Feb 2013 Posts: 2593 Location: Donegal
|
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:42 pm Post subject: Hedging your bets in Donegal. |
|
|
I wonder if you are in a coastal location? If so, sea buckthorn, fuscia, tamarisk should do well anywhere on the Donegal coast and rosa rugosa is tough as old boots anywhere. In any case, Donegal winds being what they are, I would advise planting young specimens that will acclimatise, providing some temporary shelter might help (that plastic mesh looks awful, but it works). I would go for a mixture of plants - that way you will more easily find out what works for your site. I know you want native species and understand your point, but to get started, use whatever works. In any case, many of the insects and birds aren't too fussy about provenance - they just want something to eat.
Most plants that are likely to do well will appreciate decent drainage, so seriously consider digging a shallow ditch and growing on the resulting bank.
Good luck, I hope it goes well for you. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Gary1983 Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 21 Feb 2013 Posts: 5
|
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hi Good Guy thanks for the repsonse I visited a local garden centre today have to say got excellent advise took pictures of the site to show them and they have recommended a whitethorn mixed with some berberis guilder rose dog woods and coleaster i think it was called, and they also thought horn beam for another location in the garden would be worth a try all of these they said could tolerate some damp conditions i probably overstated the wetness of the garden in my previous post , I am not near a coastal area I am inland but very exposed when the wind blows from the north , im going to give it atry anyway as im not keen on the leylandii. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You can attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2006 - present IrishGardeners.com (part of GardenPlansIreland.com)
|