Plants in 'Hedges and boundaries in the countryside' scheme

The Field maple is a small tree which can be planted in hedgerows or be kept clipped to form a tidy hedge. It has small, maple-like leaves which turn a vivid yellow in autumn. It is resistant to cold and wind and is very suitable as a fast-growing and attractive shelter-belt tree: it is frequently planted along roadsides because of its adaptability and relatively compact size - maximum height is 15-20 metres. Although sometimes regarded as a native tree, it is in fact native to Northern Europe and Southern England. It prefers moist, fertile soil and sun or light shade. Bare root plants 60-90 cms tall, Available November - March only.

A fast-growing, columnar medium-sized native tree, ideal for fast-growing shelter belts or damp soil. Alders attractive trees with medium-sized, rounded leaves, catkings in spring and cones in autumn. They grow particularly well in wet or waterlogged soil and a frequently found growing at the edges of ponds, riverbanks or boggy areas. They play an important part in our native woodlands and can be interplanted with other hardwood trees such as ash or oak. Very useful where a fast woodland is required, such as around new houses in ruaral area where soil may be poor. Interesting purple-tinged buds in spring, followed by elegant catkins. Good seaside tolerance. Bare root plants 60-90cms tall. November to March only.

One of our favourite small trees - and very easy too. A small and elegant tree which has masses of pretty small white flowers in early summer, followed by dark purple berries in late summer - delicious for humans and birds, and loved by children - they taste something between a blueberry and an ugni berry. Plant in well-drained to moist soil in full sun or light shade - a tough and resilient plant. Ideal for the small garden, garden border or informal hedgerow. Ideal when planted with bulbs, ferns or other natural groundcovers. Great autumn colour, when the leaves turn bright red. Bare root plants, available only between November and March. 60- 90 cms tall..

One of the easiest and most successful shrubs for small hedges, with a dark red / purple colour. This barberry has dark purple leaves and grows well in many conditions, making it an ideal 'low maintenance' plant which establishes quickly and grows in many situations. Because of its very small prickly hedge, it also doubles as an effective barrier. Orange flowers in spring. Trim in late summer or autumn if you want it clipped. Plant approximately three plants per metre for a dense hedge. Deciduous, height to 2 metres. Sold as bare root plants which are economical, fast to plant and quick to establish. Bare root plants 30-40 cms high. Available November to March only.

Great winter colour! A very popular plant and most often seen planted in mass plantings along roadsides where its red twigs bring much-needed colour to the winter landscape. This is a vigorous, suckering plant which should be cut down to a few inches above ground level in late winter / early spring to encourage new growth. This can be done every year or every second year - doing this also keeps it nicely bushy. Foliage in summer mainly hides the stems. There are small white, fairly insignificant flowers in spring, followed by small berries. A good plant for moist soils, though it is tolerant of many conditions, including exposed locations and hedgerows. Bare-root plants 60-90 cms tall. November to March only.

One of the most attractive variegated plants, attractive in both winter and summer. In the winter, when the stems are bare, it looks like the straightforward red twig dogwood (Cornus alba). When in leaf, however, it is one of the best and most refined variegated plants around, with an attractive and understated silver variegation. We have used this in our garden designs over the years, where it makes an easily-maintained and dense lower level mass planting which covers larger areas economically - perfect for planting in amongst tree specimens. Good for moist soil, though this isn't essential, in full sun or light shade. Cut down to a few inches above ground level in late winter to keep stems red and vigorous. Sturdy bare root plants, 60-90 cms tall.  Available November to March only.

Another great plant for winter interest in the garden. Cornus alba 'Flaviramea' has yellow / green stems in winter - perfect against a dark background where they will really stand out. Like Cornus alba, it makes a fast-growing medium-height cover for larger areas - ideal on banks or verges, and often used along roadways. It is exceptionally tolerant of different soils and environments, though for best stem colour plant in full sun. Can be pruned back hard in late winter / early spring to encourage new twig development and keep it bushy and vigorous. Height and spread to 2.5 metres. Bare-root plants 60-90 cms. November to March only.

An attractive native shrub or small tree. Hazel has shiny, almost metallic bark, long catkins in spring and large, rounded green leaves which turn bright yellow in autumn. Considered by the Celts to be the plant of knowledge. It produces a crop of edible hazelnuts, and was traditionally coppiced (cut to the ground on a regualr basis) to produce 'rods' or poles, and also for charcoal production. Plant it as an understorey in a woodland or in a hedgerow, in full sun or in shade, in fertile, free-draining soil. It prefers alkaline soil, so not suitable for peaty or boggy areas. Bare root plants 60 - 90 cms tall. Available between November and March only.

A native Irish tree which doesn't need an introduction. Long since associated with fairies, and traditionally left on its own in a field, untouched by farmer and plough for fear of retribution from the fairies. The hawthorn is a resilient, pretty tree which has masses of white flowers in May and a crop of berries in late summer. It grows in the most exposed of places, though this will naturally stunt its growth. In a garden setting, it is an upright, rounded small tree which can grow to a height and spread of up to 5 or 6 metres. In a hedgerow, it is kept clipped or layed to make a stockproof boundary. Read more about hawthorn hedges. Bare root plants, 60-90 cms tall. Available November to March only.

A very robust evergreen shrub with leathery leaves with a silvery-scaly underside. It makes a very good seaside plant, and is frequently planted as a 'first line of defence' against strong, salt-laden winds. Mix with similar plants (see our suggestions) or plant  approximately 75 cms apart to form a hedge. Once established, it is tolerant of dry conditions, but plant ideally in well-drained, moist soil in full sun or light shade. Trim in late spring if kept as a hedge. Scented flowers in late summer and autumn. 2 litre container / 45 - 55 cms tall.