A very quick post tonight – the ‘settling in’ is taking a little longer that I planned. I know everyone understands how that is, when you move house. Today I discovered that my driveway is lined with crocuses (OK, croci for the purists) – enough to lift your heart.
One of the things I need to do is plan a hedgerow for the back of the house. Of course, I want it to be instant and consisting of all native Irish species. Like the Guelder Rose, above and below. Turns out, those two things are not compatible, so my plan is to plant a fast growing hedge, preferably evergreen and intersperse it with native Irish trees, which are mostly deciduous.
Fortunately, there’s a lot of helpful information available to anyone wanting to do this, on the Hedgerows Ireland website, and I will be following their advice as much as I can. I have a head start in that I have several Hazel trees – my feature photo today is the tiny scarlet female flowers that appear above the catkins on Hazel trees in the spring.
One of the trees I will be ordering is the spectacular Spindle – above is the fruit and below the autumn leaves. I only know of one wild tree near here and I visit it every year.
I am also planning a wildflower patch, like in my last place – take a look at these posts:
Weeds: A Matter of Perspective
Every year in West Cork I start my wildflower posts when the Celandine comes out – well, it’s out in my garden already!
I’ll document my hedgerow as I progress.
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Really lovely photos, Finola. Good luck with your hedgerow – I’m sure it will be amazing!
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Really lovely photos, Finola. Good luck with your hedgerow – I’m sure it will be amazing!
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A comment or two: Spindle can be frustratingly slow to get to flower and produce those nice seedpods. Hawthorn is an excellent choice – flowers and haws and good autumn colour. Guelder Rose is also excellent. The plural of crocus is crocususeses, by the way!
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Wise advice from the gardener. I would like to try Spindle but I will bear your words in mind.
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Hazel is also worth considering as it is fast growing – though those which are fast growing need more frequent clipping/cutting.
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Hmm, a mixed hedge is more interesting than using just one plant species. Perhaps some evergreen and some deciduous too. I think the objective should be screening rather than blocking ? Anyway good luck with it. I am in the process of planning the planting a number of hedges myself and your post has given me much food for thought !
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Yes, a good mix is what I am after. Thanks!
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Hi Finola, Go for an amelanchier als. Serviceberry – birds love the berries so no mess. Great for a hedgerow and lovely when it is flowering. Great Granny
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I just looked that up – gorgeous!
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Even just one Serviceberry tucked in somewhere and the birds will thank you. Several and its like a cloud come down to earth when in bloom.
Great Granny
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There is nothing like planning a garden or hedge and watch it develop – It is putting your stamp on your patch of earth.
Good luck with it.
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Thanks, Marie!
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Good to read this from NZ! Settling in will take a while I guess, hope it’s already feeling like home.
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It IS – more greenery will add to that.
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you are lucky to be in that mild climate – your hedge will grow fas!
We inherited a 7 yo beech hedge (3ft high) and now it’s over 50 years, and we have to keep it cut hard – only has to be trimmed once a year and has birds nesting , hedgehogs and great shelter winter/summer as we are up a hill! Good luck with it!
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That sounds amazing, Anne!
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Does one’s heart good to see such colour, light, and know it grows abundantly.
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It does!
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