mlv16/2/04 5:13
Last weekend I cut down a beech hedge that had got seriously out of control.
I now need to re-plant the hedge.
Why? Have you killed it, do you think? Most beech hedges will retain their
dead leaves up to about 9' in height, thus giving privacy and cover to wild
birds. This is a *very* desirable hedge.
A couple of years ago, I also severely cut back a conifer hedge and this
resulted in the bare trunks being exposed. Most of the conifer trees have
not recovered, but there is one exception. This particular conifer has
regrown directly from the trunk and right down to ground level. The naked
trunk has bushed out with new, dense growth and looks really good.
Does anyone know what variety of conifer this might be that will foliate
directly from the trunk?
Yews are the only ones I can think of offhand that will do this.
Can anyone suggest some other species of hedge I might consider planting (on
sandy, well drained soil). I want something that won't grow too high and
that is easy to manage. I would prefer an evergreen hedge, but am no real
fan of leylandii.
A mixed species hedge would be rather nice, but what to plant?
TIA
Where you're living is quite important. South west England and sea side?
Escallonia, Fuchcsia, Eleagnus, Olearia and Griselinia, for example. Maybe
the people that planted your beech hedge did so because it was all that
would be happy there? You could plant more yew trees - they don't like
sitting in water so your good drainage would be ideal. Of course, you
mustn't let a young hedge dry out, either.
What you do in your own garden is your own business, of course but it does
sound as if you've gone in for a sort of 'slash and burn' policy without
taking advice first - not always a good move, IMO and IME. Can you get
someone local - a neighbour, perhaps, member of a gardening club - to advise
you on what is good hedging in your area?
--
Sacha
(remove the weeds to email me)