Hedge row

As part of planning I have to plant a hedgerow along one of the borders of my property. The hedge row will consist of 50% Hawthorn, 15% hazel, 15% Field Mapel, 10% Dogwood, 5% Spindle Euonymus, 2.5% Dog Rose, 2.5% honeysuckle.

The border is 52m (170.6ft) in length.

On doing my research I think I have to plant around 1ft apart. Is that the correct distance apart or do they need to be closer or can they be further apart do you think?

I have also read that winter is a good time to plant. Is this correct? To keep costs down, I was thinking of buying two(ish) foot tall plants and letting them grow over the years. But worried if January or Feb get really cold it may damage plants?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated by this novice. Thanks.

Paul

 

As the plants mentioned are all dormant at this time of year, planting now and subsequent cold should not be a problem. A foot apart seems reasonable. Planting at this time of year is only limited by how wet your soil is and frost Obviously not a good idea to plant in really frozen or sodden ground. Preparation for planting is the key to success. Don't forget that once the plants are established, improving the soil is not an option. Dig in as much organic material as you can and give each plant some Bonemeal when planting.

 

My experience of planting native species hedgerows with the Tree Council and CRT, is to plant a double row using 5 assorted plants per metre ,random mixed, usually including all that you mention, plus the odd hawthorn/blackthorn/oak and beech where suitable to be left as standards, not to be cut. As a boundary hedge, I would also erect a wire mesh* fence to 'stockproof' (exclude neighbours pets) on the exact boundary prior to planting. Are rabbits/deer an issue?
*select according to species- from Sentinel green decorative up to 3m deerfence with option for 2 to 5 strands of barbed wire according to neighbour!
Depending upon locality/ circumstances, you may qualify for free hedging/ trees from either the Tree Council, or the Woodland Trust.
See
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/wales-tree-giveaway/


Young Tree Champions: Apply now for free trees, tech and support at your school - The Tree Council

 

Would def go bare root its cheaper and would put membraine down so hedge isn't competing with weeds and grass.

 

I would not use a synthetic weed membrane under a newly planted hedge as it can create a long term problem for the soil environment in your garden. It will stop nutrients cycling from the soil surface into the deeper layers of the soil and so make the soil more nutrient poor over time. My neighbour used one on his new hedge and he still has grass and weeds competing with his hedge which has been very slow to get established. Careful use of a hoe every 6 to eight weeks in between the hedge plants for the first year taking care not to damage the roots of the hedge plants should be sufficient to control competing vegetation until the hedge plants are established and able to outgrow competition on their own. As the hedge plants get more established the roots are stronger and weed removal in this way becomes counterproductive. I did this with the more friendly wildflowers like clover, birds foot trefoil and dead nettle allowed to grow away and have a well established hedge that can be seen at various stages in some video clips I posted here. It had a great crop of hawthorn berries this winter. Will be planting another section 39mtres long this year.

It is important to try and keep the young hedge plants at the same level in their new position as they were growing before being moved and there is often a visible line at the point the soil was at previously that can be used as an indicator that sufficient root is below ground when replanting. I have found a double row with 2 feet between plants in each row and the gaps in one row matching with the plants in the parallel row has worked well as this means that if one hedge plant fails there is unlikely to be a long term gap as the second row will fill in the space. Also I think just opening a slit for each hedge plant with a spade works better than panting into a trench and refilling as there is less soil disturbance. I think hedge plants about 2foot tall as suggested are about the best size to go for and once in the ground frost should not be an issue.
Happy gardening!

 

Most up to date video of that hedge I posted is here and it was made three years after planting which is now two years ago. Its a bit more developed now but I stopped tracking its progress as it was getting a bit of trimming from the girlfriends da so was not going to be representative of how it might develop as I wanted to trim it myself. I only trimmed the sides but he cut the tops off a lot of the whitethorn. The denser growth from trimming probably helps it bulk up and provide even more habitat for small birds to be safe and it already seems to provide good sites for bird nesting.
All the best.

 

Thanks everyone for your input. All very helpful.
Best regards,
Paul