Hedging.
The Autumn and Pre-Christmas period is an excellent time to plant a new hedge.
Planting at this time of year offers considerable positive advantages.
The ground is warmer at this time of year,there is less weed competition and with shorter days and less drying out the hedge will establish quicker without drying out and stressing from a lack of water.
The area to be planted should be cleared of weeds prior to planting.
Ideally spray off the area to be planted with Round-up.
Avoid prolonged waterlogging,if waterlogging persists,resolve the problem by the early provision of land drains.
Choice of Hedges
There are several factors governing your choice of hedge.
Amongst factors are-proximity to the coast,height to be achieved,privacy,stock-proofing,
Evergreen or deciduous,flowering,formal or informal.
Hedges will also be chosen to comply with REPS Programmes .
A Whitethorn or Blackthorn hedge makes a very effective stockproof hedge.
Hedging by the Sea.
Fuchsia ricartonii is the traditional Fuchsia of West Cork.
It is hardy,free flowering and will tolerate the most exposed and challenging coastal locations.
It flowers over a long period commencing to flower in June/July and continuing well into November.Plant at 18” apart for a good,dense hedge.
Planting before Christmas is highly recommended.
Use moistened Shamrock Browngold when planting and add a good fertiliser to the soil such as Blood,Fish&Bone Meal or Vitax Q4.
Firm in well after planting.
The Olearia family from New Zealand are particulary good at the sea.
The most commonly seen are Olearia traversii&Olearia macrodonta.
Olearia traversii is one of the hardiest plants for planting in extreme coastal exposure.
It has silver,grey felty foliage.
Olearia macrodonta has glossy leaf,toothed leaves-holly-like,masses of white daisy flowers in early Summer.
Olearias are fast growing.
Escallonias are popular choices by the sea.
The 2 most frequently grown are Escallonia macrantha(dark,glossy green foliagewith pink to red flowers from July until September/October.
Escallonia ingramii is smaller leaved and not considered as tough.
You can protect recently planted hedges with a net windbreak secured onto strong posts preferably lathed securely.
Hedges for Inland sites.
Griselinia littoralis evergreen-plant at 18 “apart.
Laurels are a good choice for shaded areas,growing quite quickly.
The Beech hedging is a fine choice for a good hedge.
It starts the year with an unequalled,freshness of leaf which is so symbolic of the arrival of Summer.
Beech likes good,rich loamy soil but do make sure the area is well drained.
Beech is a good screen as it will retain its brown leaves throughout Winter until Spring.
Beech is also available in a copper version,usually more expensive.
Holly makes a delightful,evergreen native hedge.
It has many fine attributes including its bright,glossy,green leaves,red berries in Winter.
It is also thorny which makes it useful as a security hedge.
Male&female plants need to be planted to produce berries.
Berberis is another good hedge,hardy,easy to grow.
The evergreen varieties have good,glossy foliage with attractive orange flowers borne in late Spring/early Summer.
Pyracantha |
