Hedge planting - question on species choice

[King Edward]

I'm planning on planting a length of hedge about 30m long, between our lawn on our side and a pasture field on the other side, so I'm looking for advice about the best species mix. Hopefully should be able to get it planted within the next week or two. The farmer has a decent wire fence along the boundary, so stockproofing doesn't have to be taken into account.

Other sources I have looked at generally recommend a high proportion of Hawthorn/Blackthorn, 50% or more, but I was wondering if such a high proportion of these two is needed when it isn't needed to function as a physical barrier.

The species I'm thinking to plant are:
Hawthorn
Blackthorn
Hazel
Field Maple
Guelder Rose
Dogwood

Does anyone have any other good suggestions for species, or for the best proportions of each to put in? It's in Herefordshire, on well-drained neutral loamy soil in quite an exposed SW facing site.

Also, can anyone recommend a good mail-order nursery for hedging plants (and also native trees), preferably West Midlands/English sourced stock?

[The Woodman]

Are you going to keep the hedge trimmed once you've got it to a suitable height?

Are you relying on the hedge to provide security i.e. dense, or visual screening or can you afford to "let it go"?

[King Edward]

The Woodman,
Haven't really decided on future trimming yet, but it's down the far end of the garden (not used all that much) and so it's not going to be kept as a clipped formal hedge. So it'll probably end up being rather let go, as you put it, with occasional trimming/cutting back to stop it getting too high & wild. There was previously a hedge/shrub border there, but it had long since degenerated into an enormous linear bramble patch (mainly dead, very unsightly and now cleared).

The main functions are to provide shelter/privacy for the lawn, but it doesn't need to be especially dense since the field on the other side is quite big and only really used by the farmer occasionally riding past on his quad. So, I don't particulaly think it's necessary to put in evergreens such as Yew/Holly (especially the latter, which we have lots of already).

[The Woodman]

From what you say your aims are and your list of potential subjects I would leave out Guelder Rose and Dogwood because they'll leave big gaps in the hedge line in the winter. Use them by all means on a corner or where a view is needed.

I as might be tempted to add a hornbeam here and there as they retain their leaves well into the spring. As for supply, a quick search on Google should find a good source.

Jez might be able to recommend a supplier.

[Johnny Redgate]

Native crab apple is always nice in a hedge even when trimmed. Have you thought about some other fruit e.g. damson? Both should be fine on most soils in W Mids. If your soil is limey you could try others such as spindle. A few buckthorn are also a possibility and might attract brimstone butterflies. You might well cut back on hawthorn and blackthorn if your hedge doesn't need to be stockproof or an access barrier but they do provide a structural base to the hedge.

[The Woodman]

Nice idea Johnny. I have to remove some native Cumbrian Damson suckers soon from my tree. They'll be looking for a good home.

[Johnny Redgate]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Nice idea Johnny. I have to remove some native Cumbrian Damson saplings soon from my tree. They'll be looking for a good home.

Well, damson and crab apple are the stars of my farm hedgerows. Without them its a fairly standard mix of hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel and holly

[The Woodman]

Did you plant them?

[Johnny Redgate]

No, the damsons are all old but fruit very well. There really are surprising numbers of bushes. The crab apples are mostly scattered large trees that look superb in blossom. I plant crab every year in the hedgerows I am restoring but I should really look at propagating some damsons. You've got me thinking now!

[The Woodman]

Yours crabs intrigue me. Do you raise your own or purchase named varieties?

Sorry, more q's.