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Native hedgerow mix (winter planting)

Hedgerows are the veins and arteries of our landscape, the place where wildlife feeds, shelters and gets from place to place. From birds and hedgehogs to foxes and badgers, hedgerows are invaluable. Native plants are plants which have been here in Ireland since time immemorial, and it is these plants taht are rich in history and folklore. These plants also offer all the right things to our native fauna, providing food and shelter, and fitting in perfectly with their surroundings, having adapted over millenia to our environment. New houses in the landscape often stand out, and the best way to marry them to their surroundings is to plant what grows best - native plants. This is particularly important around the boundaries, where there may already be ancient hedgerows. In the past, these hedges were required to be stock-proof, as there was no such thing as barbed wire. Now, this is less important, but the thorns on Hawthorns, Blackthorns and Hollies are still useful and serve a purpose. This mix of plants forms a tough, traditional hedge, and provides a diverse environment for wildlife, whilst also containing a good mix of leaf-types and berries.

Planting and maintenance:

Hedges like this should be planted between November and March. Plants shoud be placed approximately 3 per metre in a row. For a thicker hedge, two rows can be planted in a staggered fashion, so that there are in fact 6 plants per linear metre. Great care should be taken with bare root plants to keep them in their bag and out of the wind for as long as possible. Dont lay them all out first and then plant them, as they may dry out. Cut a T shaped incision in the soil and insert the roots into the loosened soil. Firm it in with your heels, making sure it is secure and straight. There is no need for staking, and you can chop the plant down by a half (seems a shame) which will actually encourage it to bush out in spring. It's important that the base of the plants is kept free from long grass and weeds while the plants establish. these are okay so long as they don't swamp the young plants. The very best way to maintain the hedgerow is to pull the grass down by hand in the first year or two. This is arduous work, but strimming is too risky. If any spray is considered, the only one to use is a Glyphosate-based one which deteriorates on contact with the soil. This should not be continued once the hedge is established - it's really not necessary. Once it is well-established the hedge can be trimmed annuallyor every two years if desired. You may want to plant some larger species (such as Ash, Oak or Birch) within the hedge, which should not be trimmed. (Bear in mind that it is illegal to cut a native hedgrow between 1st of March and 31st of August).

 

Plants in this scheme:

View all plants in listing....

 

Total cost,     plants:
€25.00

 

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