Native Hedging

[FireBird]

Hello everyone.

I have decided to make my small back garden in to a haven for wildlife.

So I have decided to plant a native hedge.


The fun part is going to be planting it all (I jest) I just hope when the plants arrive it's not pouring down.

It took me forever to decide on the hedging, it 's probably going to look like a dogs dinner, but I don't think the wildlife will care.

[Maisie]

I wish you luck with the hedge!

I have some hedging to do in the near future, and have this in mind

http://www.spaldingbulb.co.uk/Catalog/Productdetail.aspx?parentcategoryname=1006&selectedcategoryname=1145&productid=3007

[FireBird]

I have ordered all sorts from a company called Hedges Direct to fit a 10 metre stretch.


No looking forward to planting it all, as most of it comes root balled and will have to be planted soon as.


It took me long enought to decide on what plants to go for, and what it will end up looking like, is another question, as long as the birds like it I don't really care.

[barn owl]

firebird,
i hope it rains for you, and lots. thats the best way even in winter to get a hedge going. in summer it should grow between 1 foot and 3. depending on hedge and soil. go for it you are only helping.

[Maisie]

Thanks for the tip on Hedges Direct. I've just found it online. As well as the bird hedging, I'll be planting a load of holly. This looks like a good place to buy in bulk.

[FireBird]

The things we do for wildlife- mind you they give you hours of pleasure.

And if I can make life that little be better for them, then it is worth it.

I did find a few other places, but I found them to be very helpful, I will late you know what state the plants come in.

[70007]

I'm too mean to go for all these fancy hedge types, and holly seeds itself in my garden so no problems there. I saw 25 bare rooted privet on offer in a garden catalogue for just £14.99, so that was it for me.

They were a bit small, only about 2ft each, and looked like a bunch of dead sticks when they arrived, but I planted them about 18 inches apart in February and I am amazed that they have all grown about 12 inches taller this summer. One or two have done so well that they are almost overlapping with their neighbour.

That is what I call a bargain.

I cant have too many berry varieties because they will eventually grow above the low stone wall and border onto the street. I dont want complaints from irate parents that their little darlings may be poisoned.

[barn owl]

I know the feeling 7007, i went out to buy some hedging and it costs a lot. so i take from wherever i can, ferns and moss. i know moss is protected and legally i would be in trouble if caught but, i grow it in my garden so im not taking it for flower baskets. moss holds the moisture and a lot of little bugs for the birds. someone said in a thread here that they need acorns. my god i cannot get rid of mine they seem to grow everywhere. and fungi is prolific here as its woodland. growing a lawn almost impossible, i have been buying seed for over 3 years and still its sparse. problem here is theres not much soil, about 4 to 6 inches and your into sand.:eek:

[70007]

Yes, I am the same with acorns. When we moved here 20 years ago my eldest son went on a nature walk with the primary school. He brought home a couple of conkers and some acorns.

We planted them in a pot and they grew, so we put them in the garden. The horse chestnut died after a year or so, but one of the oaks carried on and now - 20 years later - it is about 25 feet tall and has loads of acorns each year which sprout all over my lawn.

It is the same with primroses. They are seeding themselves so much in my grass that I have given up digging them out and at the moment they just get mowed every so often.

[Jenny]

Hi, don't know if it's convenient for any of you but if you have a local grower then think about using them for hedging. I have one who knows what suits our local conditions and soils and he's inexpensive, delivers at no charge and you get specific planting and maintenance info. The two trees and various shrubs I bought off him 18 months ago are serious flourishing. I have 25 metres of mixed hedging to put in and he's been a real source of information as some of the line is shaded, some in partial sun and some on seriously bad soil.