Question

Hi everyone, has anyone grown a native hedge from scratch? I’ve been looking at planting hornbeam (or any other native suggestions are welcome except black/hawthorn) and if so any idea on how many individual plants / saplings I would need for a 15 foot long area? There’s current a very patchy thorn hedge there at the minute and it’s half dead so I want to rip it out and do the above, we have a very overly curious dog who gets tangled up in the thorn so definitely no spikey suggestions , we moved into the house in December and I’m a big advocate of wildlife and native friendly gardens so any help would be fabulous  

Answer 1

I planted a native mixed hedge three years ago, around my veggy patch. Got the whips from Meadowmania and my advice is plant more than you think you need. Our hedge is great and nice and thick now, will run out and get a photo of it for you later.  

Comments

@nels16  

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Photos, doesn't look very exciting at the mo, and I keep it to about 5ft tall. All tge whips took and in the summer its great, and the birds love it.  

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@nels16  

Answer 2

If memory serves take a plant every 9inches as a rule of thumb. It's a great time of year for willow cuttings. Which you can often get free. Why not keep the thorn but prune above dog height? A bit of established plant in there will make it look nicer while it's new and thorns up high will deter ne'erdowells from climbing it.  

Answer 3

Privet and wild dog rose are good along with holy.  

Answer 4

Is the a Wildlife Trust for your area? You could contact them and ask what are the best species for your area etc.  

Comments

@nels16 I've gone for bog standard beech as it fits what else is on the estate and also I grew up in North Devon so it reminds me of home. If I was planting it now I would do more of a mixture. I've seen Sea Buckthorn growing well locally and love the look although I'm not sure I'd go to the trouble of harvesting the berries.  

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@nels16 it's about 6 years old, it would be denser if I'd cut it back when smaller.  

Answer 5

I planted a few hundred meters of whips and 10 years later it looks great. Woodland trust also donated some .  

Comments

@nels16 yeah sure, ill get one although doesnt look great this time if year. Its mostly mixed hedging .  

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I just found a few snaps on me phone but im not sure they are what you are after

Answer 6

Dogwood makes a nice hedge. So does Rhododendron, Laurel, Beach, Holly, Privet, Yew, Cartoniaster, Camila All make great hedges

Answer 7

Hiya @nels16 ive got Hawthorn hedges all round my very large garden. You can buy bare rooted trees now off ebay or most garden centres now. If anyone can get to Cheshire i have severel trees to give away all in pots, cherry, ash, conker and a few others xx

Comments

@nels16/activity" class="qa-user-link">nels16 Hiya @nels16/activity" class="qa-user-link">nels16 you could plant Beech or conifers

Answer 8

Escallonia makes a great garden hedge - not prickly and easy to keep in check. Mine flowers twice a year  

Answer 9

Whitbeam , field maple , hazel, sweet chestnut, crab apple, cherry, box all good native hedgers and ideal for wildlife birds and insects

Answer 10

We took our mixed half dead hedge out last February and planted bare root hornbeam in its place . Ours was 12 metres in length and put in 36 horn beams they were 3 foot high ones. I think it cost about £50.  

Comments

This is when we had just planted them

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@nels16 they grew 50cm in a year

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@nels16 lol I pressed the wrong button first!  

Answer 11

Holly elderflower apple