HEDGE PLANTING
Hedge planting is traditionally one of Ireland’s most popular and important projects. From the beautiful and mythical hawthorn hedge, the rural beech hedge, to the more urban evergreen options such as Portuguese laurel our beautiful island is lined with thousands of miles of hedging of all shapes and sizes throughout.
Here at PERENIA we supply hedging throughout the year including bareroot, rootballed and container grown options. November – April are our busiest months for the bareroot and rootballed varieties.
Please see below for useful information when it comes to hedge planting. Always remember to measure twice and cut once. Preparation is key.
HOW TO PLANT A HEDGE
When preparing the site for your hedge make sure to spray off any grass in advance. Weeds growing through a hedge is not good news! Where possible dig a trench for your hedge instead of individual holes. Dig your trench about one foot deep and one foot wide for bare root hedging and one and a half times the depth of the root ball/pot for more mature hedging. Break up your soil and put well-rotted manure at the base of the trench. Depending on the variety you choose, you will need to plant approximately three to six plants per metre for bareroot hedging. For more mature hedging 1-2 plants per metre is usually sufficient. Plant your hedge to the same depth as previously planted using the mark on the stem as a guide
Your hedge should be planted a minimum of 50-60cm from your fence so stronger growing plants can go further. Hedging is also ideal for boundaries or to divide an area in a garden (e.g., dividing a play area from a vegetable plot).
WHAT HEDGE TO PLANT:
The most important question of all and this can sometime be a personal choice. In rural/farming settings native hedging tends to be the most popular choice. This would include whitethorn, blackthorn, beech, holly, wild rose, and spindle.
For residential settings and new builds, we recommend beech, laurel, and Portuguese laurel.
If planting by the coast it is very important to make the right selection. Hedging plants that do well by the coast include Olearia, Escallonia, Elaeagnus, Fuchsia and Griselinia.
USEFUL HEDGING TIPS
Where possible we recommend using native plants that will help provide habitats for our wildlife. It is VITAL to water your hedges in March and April of year one and during any dry spells in the summer. Plants and trees are like humans, they need their food and water too!! Trimming and pruning of hedging should usually take place in late winter or early spring. Vigorous hedges can also be lightly trimmed in mid-summer to keep them tidy.
