Hawthorn Hedge Advice

[slimrbp]

I recently planted a Hawthorn hedge (well sticks at the moment ) at the bottom of the garden, luckily they all appear to have taken as they all show signs of buds and the odd leaf is starting to appear (unlike the poor holly sapling who is looking decididly unwell ).

I was after some advice on if I can sow some wild flower seeds around them while they are getting established?

I have looked on line and the recomendation is to keep the planted area 'weed' free. I mainly ask because there is now quite a lot of bare ground and the temptation is to plant it up!

However if it will give the Hawthorn issues establishing itself I will be patient.

[BugFriendly]

...all advice when planting a new hedge is to keep it weed-free in order to establish more quickly. If you do let things grow, it soon becomes and weeding will damage the roots of the hedge.
I'm sure the hedge would grow eventually but you want a hedge asap and you can underplant once it's established.

[slimrbp]

Thanks, I shall resist the urge

[slimrbp]

I have been looking at how I need to prune the hedge later this year and found out that I should have pruned the whips back after planting them.

I didn't do this the whips are now producing leaves, have I missed the boat?
If so will this be a major problem?

And final question when pruning later this year I have read that I should prune the ends of the branches to encourage bushiness but also the trim the top off the hedge as well. Me being dim about gardening I can see how this enocurages more branches lower down but doesn't this stop the hedge growing upwards (as you can see I don't much about this gardening lark but am willing to learn!)

[Meta menardi]

Just a trim to reduce the dominance of the tip, and it will grow up and thicken. I don't think a little light trimming will do any harm and should make it more bushy, but if you don't feel happy about it, there is always next year. I have seen hedges laid (a much more radical thing than a trim) and take no harm at this time of year. Obviously, not if anything was nesting.

[Kayleigh]

I was told to chop mine half way the year I planted it then half again the year after it makes it bush from the bottom..
Apparently..

[Jez]

Kayleigh is correct. Leave your Hawthorn to grow this year then in December cut the new growth from the sides and top by 50% then do this again the following December then after you don't have to cut so vigorously. Cut the hedge from then on in a tapered shape so light can get to the bottom branches and brush off the cuttings to prevent fungal diseases.

[nightshade]

I did not cut my whips back, until the following year, as I had planted on the slant so they bushed naturally along their length.
The hedge has been in a while and I have planted (garden centre wild) Primroses etc under the hedge. My only disappointment, the Dog roses have never flowered, soil a bit too rich I expect. The Sparrows love it which is all that is important. I bought and ornimental Hawthorn tree "Pauls Scarlet" with double red flowers and the insects flying off this brings the Bats into the garden after many years of stopping at the fence. I think I will try a hedge of the same if I can find a supplier

[slimrbp]

That's great thank you everybody.

[woppittess]

Originally Posted by nightshade

I did not cut my whips back, until the following year, as I had planted on the slant so they bushed naturally along their length.
The hedge has been in a while and I have planted (garden centre wild) Primroses etc under the hedge. My only disappointment, the Dog roses have never flowered, soil a bit too rich I expect. The Sparrows love it which is all that is important. I bought and ornimental Hawthorn tree "Pauls Scarlet" with double red flowers and the insects flying off this brings the Bats into the garden after many years of stopping at the fence. I think I will try a hedge of the same if I can find a supplier

Hi Nightshade,

Try here for the 'Pauls Scarlet'. They are obviously more expensive than the hawthorn, but no harm in ringing for a price.

Hope you get what you are looking for


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