Hedge in a flood area

I would like some advice on replanting a hedge suitable for wildlife.

The garden is partially a flood plain - not as badly as Monty’s garden, but you get the idea! Herefordshire clay, but has been worked as a garden for many decades. We have taken out an old Thuja hedge, and want to replant with natives.

The “bottom” hedge (lowest part of the garden, flooding 4-5 times a year, for a few days each time) was originally a privet hedge, but has slowly evolved to be mainly holly, with hawthorn, sycamore, ash and elder. We are replanting the side hedge that runs uphill for around 27 metres, the top section does not flood, but around 50% floods 3-4 times a year, for a few days. The other side hedge was replanted with hornbeam around 10-15 years ago, and is doing well.

We contacted hedges direct, and they have recommended a mix of willow and alder. I am not familiar with either being used as hedging.
Will it work?
Will it grow like topsy, being uncontrollable?
Other hedging plants? Other hedging suppliers?

Desperate for ideas, so we can replant next month!

 

Hi

willow and alder are the type of tree that grows along a river stream etc and thrive in wet areas .. Alder makes a great wildlife hedge and horneam which copes well with saturated soils and is already doing well with you ,I have also seen a small enbankment raised to give hedges etc some reprieve from being in a flood area, just need to keep watered over the first couple of seasons until they get rooted in

Spruce

 

We don't have the problem here, we have drought and sandy soils but there are some suggestions on this companies site. I've never used them so it's not a recommendation.

Best Hedging Plants for Wet Soil & Sites | Hedges for Wet Ground.

We have hawthorn, blackthorn, alder and dogwood around our local broads, so I think they cope with wet feet occassionally (the last two definitely do). I would be wary of planting willow because once it becomes established it will likely grow far more quickly than anything else you add, if going for a mixed hedge, and if you do get a dry spell then it is incredibly water hungry, to the detriment of surrounding plants.