Three varieties that blend well together. This mixed hedge can be kept neat so is also suitable to urban gardens where space may be tight. An unfussy mixed hedge that provides variety and interest.

Our suggested mix

The point of choose-your-own is so that you can create a mix of the plants that you love most, but if you would like a suggestion for an affordable, lovely mix, here is what we would do:

33.3% | Crataegus monogyna - Hawthorn
33.3% | Acer campestre - Field Maple
33.3% | Carpinus betulus - Hornbeam

Site

This is a wind hardy hedge that will grow in most soils including some heavy soils, but not waterlogged.

Spacing

We recommend planting this hedge at a minimum of 3 plants per meter in a staggered row (6 per meter maximum ) with 6" to 9’’ between the rows.

Planting

For best results we recommend planting the varieties in groups that repeat themselves down through the hedge; e.g. Hawthorn, Field Maple, Hornbeam, Hawthorn, Field Maple, Hornbeam, etc.

Pruning

When first planted, a good prune will encourage good bushy growth. How hard you cut the plants depends on how low down you want them to bush from, but anywhere from 6’’ to 1ft is usually good.

Ongoing cutting should be carried out in late Winter to early Spring. If possible, avoid cutting during the nesting season between early March and the end of August.

Care

Keeping any young hedge weed and grass free is vital to the overall vigour and health of the hedge. Using weed membrane keeps back weeds and insulates the roots and will greatly increase growth rates, as well as cutting down on your weeding work. Mulching is another great option for insulating the roots and holding back weeds, Bark mulch is the most common used medium.