Plant a hedge, plant interest

[nightshade]

Its that time of year again.Looking out on the garden I am so pleased with the decision we took to add a mixed hedge the Alder, Hazel, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Dogwood, Dogrose, has paid dividends.Looking down with Google
Earth the back garden really is an oasis and certainly draws in an amazing variety of birds and insects that we never had before.
The two birdbaths are as much of a draw as the pond and bring in the birds We have decided to reduce the size of the flower borders as we are missing the birds that like to stay on the grass this we will richen up with a compost manure mix to increase the number of worms etc that they love.
There will be a small veg patch or veg planted in the borders to give the cabbage whites and others something to eat
So if you can find a big pot, two or three feet of spare garden to plant a few hedging shrubs in and a shallow water container do it ready for next year

[Hedge Witch]

Well, my garden is already overgrown (as the mither-in-law puts it), so hey, why not try and add something else?

Always room for another container.

I've got most of the others; the dogwood isn't native, but the berries on these are the first to go!

I'm missing and alder/birch sort of thing, and a hawthorn. I only have room for a tub - and a tub should restrict growth, which is an unfortunate necessity.

Are any of these suitable for a container? I really want a hawthorn after seeing snake's wonderful hedge.

[Jez]

I'll be planting 250 trees for hedging this coming winter for Naomi. This will give her some privacy in time as the hedge matures as well as the hedge itself looking like a natural part of our environment here on Hill Farm & fundamentally it will be grown for wildlife as food source and housing as well as a small food crop for Naomi! 1 of the species isn't truly native as far as I know there may even be others in the list but as far as my knowledge goes this is the only 1 and that is wild pear. The majority of trees will be Hawthorn and the rest comprising of the following Blackthorn, Common Buckthorn, Wild Cherry, Cherry Plum, Hazel, Wayfairing Tree, Wild Service Tree, Whitebeam, Sweet Briar, Small leaved lime, Field Rose, Guelder Rose, Elder, Bird Cherry, Bramble, Wild Privet & Crab Apple. I've taken Nightshades good advice and plant the whips at angles to stimulate strong growth as well making double layering the hedge for good shelter for nesting birds as well as making a good wind breaker!

Can I make a suggestion Nightshade. How about planting Jack By The Hedge to encourage Orange Tips, I'm sure other whites will also appreciate them??

[nightshade]

Originally Posted by Hedge Witch

Well, my garden is already overgrown (as the mither-in-law puts it), so hey, why not try and add something else?

Always room for another container.

I've got most of the others; the dogwood isn't native, but the berries on these are the first to go!

I'm missing and alder/birch sort of thing, and a hawthorn. I only have room for a tub - and a tub should restrict growth, which is an unfortunate necessity.

Are any of these suitable for a container? I really want a hawthorn after seeing snake's wonderful hedge.

I pass a cottage on the way to work and they have some sort of Maple and
Hawthorn pruned back very hard in a sort of half walled area about the same size as a large tub it is very attractive

[nightshade]

Originally Posted by Jez

I'll be planting 250 trees for hedging this coming winter for Naomi. This will give her some privacy in time as the hedge matures as well as the hedge itself looking like a natural part of our environment here on Hill Farm & fundamentally it will be grown for wildlife as food source and housing as well as a small food crop for Naomi! 1 of the species isn't truly native as far as I know there may even be others in the list but as far as my knowledge goes this is the only 1 and that is wild pear. The majority of trees will be Hawthorn and the rest comprising of the following Blackthorn, Common Buckthorn, Wild Cherry, Cherry Plum, Hazel, Wayfairing Tree, Wild Service Tree, Whitebeam, Sweet Briar, Small leaved lime, Field Rose, Guelder Rose, Elder, Bird Cherry, Bramble, Wild Privet & Crab Apple. I've taken Nightshades good advice and plant the whips at angles to stimulate strong growth as well making double layering the hedge for good shelter for nesting birds as well as making a good wind breaker!

Can I make a suggestion Nightshade. How about planting Jack By The Hedge to encourage Orange Tips, I'm sure other whites will also appreciate them??

Jack by the hedge arrived here naturally, along with enchanters nightshade
and several more plants (that I keep meaning to identify) but thank you for the suggestion

[Hedge Witch]

That sounds great. Hawthorn in a tub it is then Worth a try, anyhow. But I'll have another think first if I can fit it in somewhere

[nightshade]

If you cannot spread out, spread up like a champagne fountain

[Susie]

Some of you may remember that I put in a mixed hedge last winter and already it is paying dividends! I was looking at a blackthorn bush (I say bush, but in reality it is still tiny) this morning and found five brown hairstreak butterfly eggs on it.

[Hedge Witch]

Originally Posted by Susie

Some of you may remember that I put in a mixed hedge last winter and already it is paying dividends! I was looking at a blackthorn bush (I say bush, but in reality it is still tiny) this morning and found five brown hairstreak butterfly eggs on it.

Hi Susie - SUCCESS! Well done. I was going to ask how you knew what they were, but I think that they are distinctive looking? There were no pictures of them in the WAB Gallery though (not that I could find).

Can you get a photo?

[Susie]

Hi hedge witch,

I have tried taking photos but even with my macro lense they just come out as white blobs. I am going to try to have another go in better light though. I have marked where they are in the garden and am planning to chart their progress next year when they emerge; hopefully I can get some photos of the larvae then.

They are very distinctive once you know what they are and I am lucky to have them elsewhere in the garden so I know what to look for.