Selection of Species

Hedgerows can be formed of a single species or a mixture, but generally a mixed species hedge is better for wildlife and provides more colour and blossom at different times of year.

Formal hedges tend to be single species and may be evergreen, such as Holly, Yew, Privet, Box, or deciduous, but holding on to their leaves for much of the Winter, such as Beech and Hornbeam. They require relatively high maintenance in the form of annual or more frequent clipping to retain their shape and size.

For a hedge that is to be a barrier, to keep pets/stock in or intruders out, a prickly or spiny species hedge may be selected. For this, Blackthorn, Hawthorn and Holly are the best examples. Many nurseries and plant growers offer mixed bundles of bare root hedging, incorporating a mix such as 80% Hawthorn and 5% each of other natives, such as Hazel, Guelder Rose, Field Maple, Wild Privet. However, there is nothing to prevent people selecting their own mixes, but always using a majority of Hawthorn or Blackthorn to give a good structural basis to the hedge's growth. Other suitable native species include Dog Rose, Goat Willow and Spindle. The National Vegetation Classification can offer a full list of species native to particular areas of the Country, including Ashford Borough.

Sufficient space needs to be allowed to plant a double-staggered row of hedging and for its anticipated height and width at maturity. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds recommend that hedges are a minimum of two metres height to encourage bird breeding. They are generally at least one metre in breadth, increasing to two metres over several years. Unless the location can support such dimensions, a native hedge is not for you. In this case, a smaller ornamental species, such as Berberis, Escallonia or Lonicera, could be considered. Most nurseries and many books offer advice on planting these ornamentals as hedging.

Site Preparation and Planting

The total number of plants required will depend on the length of the run of hedging envisaged, the spacing between plants and the number of rows to be provided. Generally plants should be at least 300mm apart in a double-staggered or triple-staggered row. Planting should, with the exception of root-balled plants with an accepted high degree of after-care input, take place in the Winter months when bare-rooted stock can be used cost-effectively. It is important to order the requisite number of plants from the chosen nursery well in advance, or there maybe disappointment and a more limited choice of stock available.

The land to be planted should be prepared in advance of planting by digging out a trench at least 300mm deep and 600mm width, in the case of the recommended double-staggered row. If the land is badly drained, it may be necessary to incorporate some drainage material, such as shingle, or even create a ditch to run parallel to the hedge, with outlets into it. The backfill should consist of good quality loam, which may either be the previously excavated soil from the trench, or incorporating some well-rotted horse manure, sustainably-sourced compost or other proprietary medium. Weeds should be removed by hand and the area kept weed free, either by removal or application of mulch, until the planting is established.

When the bare-rooted plants are received, they should be inspected for condition. Healthy plants will have good root systems which are reasonably moist and not shrivelled. The roots must be kept covered at all times and not exposed to frost or wind. A common method used by professionals is to dig a holding trench for the plants, if they cannot be planted that day, then cover them quickly with some earth or straw and plastic. Rather than use inorganic fertilisers, which can contaminate ground water and cause CO2 emissions during manufacture, a new product, found to be exceptionally successful in establishing root growth in difficult soil conditions is a Mycorrhizal root preparation, applied by mixing to a paste then dipping the roots of the plant in prior to planting. The only UK product currently on the market is Rootgrow, produced by Plantworks at Sittingbourne, Kent and available from some nurseries or direct from the manufacturer. After all soil preparation is complete, the plants should be placed in the trench at a depth equivalent to that in the nursery they came from, which should be obvious from the stem. They should be firmed in by foot, but not squashed or trampled, as this will destroy the delicate roots. Watering in is recommended, except where rain is imminent. Avoid planting in cold wind, excessively dry or wet periods and never during frosty periods.

After planting it is usually desirable to form a dense, bushy hedge by cutting the plants hard back in the first year and trimming back any long branches to encourage formation of side shoots. It is best to shape the hedge so that it is narrower at the top than the bottom, this prevents the lower part from being shaded out and creates better stability.