[Gary1983]

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,

[kindredspirit]

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.

[Gary1983]

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

[Gary1983]

I should have mentioned the escallonia did grow but a severe storm wrecked them

[kindredspirit]

Whitethorn grows better on a bank.
Willow likes damp.
Alder likes soggy.

[Gary1983]

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

[Good guy]

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.

[Gary1983]

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.