"Sacha" wrote in message
k...
On 25/10/04 20:23, in article , "ned"
wrote:


"Sacha" wrote in message
k...
snip
How high is your hedge and how old? IME, nothing grows easily
under
leylandii, except perhaps, ivy.

I hope you appreciate this :-)

I do, I do!

I've just been out - in the dark - to measure it.
60ft Section A :- 8ft high. Tree spacing 2'6" to 3' apart. Base of
trunks, 7" to 9", probably 18 to 19 years old
60ft Section B :- 8'6" high. Spacing 3 ft. Base of trunks 9" to
12".
Probably 25 to 28 years old.
I've been tending it (lovingly) for the last 11 years.
In order to suppress all the normal hedge bottom weeds (nettle,
woundwort, nipplewort, goosegrass, bindweed, hedge garlic, ground
ivy
and ivy, etc.) I am mulching with leylandii clippings and that is
only
moderately successful. And grass grows right up to the south
facing
hedge line without problem. The north facing side has a Leylandii
clipping mulch path between the hedge and the boundary line
(allowing
access for trimming). Because I want to mow up to the hedge I have
not
deliberately planted anything but, Honesty grows better there than
anywhere else. We have also had Michaelmas Daisy, Phlox,
Strawberries,
Gooseberries, Mysotis, Aubretia, Lobelia, Allysum, Potentilla, Ash
and
Elder saplings and Damson runners show up there of their own
accord.

Now. Does that sound like the kiss of death to competing
vegetation?

No, it doesn't but it does sound unusual to say the least.

I have a few roses which thrive within a few feet, on the West side of
a 9 ft, 20 year Leylandii hedge. ( There are other shrubs there as
well, also thriving)

Franz