Things You Need To Know About Native Hedges You Can Grow To Support Local Wildlife
Native hedgerow provides shelter and food for a range of wildlife. But what if you want to encourage native wildlife into your garden, but do not have the time or space for a proper hedge? Here are helpful things you should know about native hedges you can grow to support local wildlife. A great alternative is to grow native shrubs as showy, informal hedges. These include laurel, holly and bay, there are also native cultivars of privet and honeysuckle that are available. There is good reason to plant a native hedge. For example, many species of native shrub produce berries that attract birds, such as blackbirds, thrushes, and waxwings. You can plant hedges of native shrubs in a formal or informal style. Plant them, so they are slightly overgrown, then trim them each year to keep them tidy. Grow Berries and Fruit Hedges Growing your own fruit and berries is a wonderful way to get closer to nature and local wildlife. It is also a very rewarding experience, especially if you have children who can help with the picking and preparation of the produce. And, because you are growing your own, the fruit and berries are as fresh as they come. Plant a Berry Patch The first thing to do is decide what type of fruit or berries you want to grow. The best way to do this is to go to your local nursery and talk to the staff about what grows well in your area. Alternatively, speak with other gardeners who may have some knowledge of which plants will thrive in your area. When you have decided on the type of fruit or berries you want to grow, select a site that is in full sun and has fertile soil to help you grow native hedges that can support local wildlife. Choose a Site That Gets Full Sun and Fertile Soil To help ensure your plants get off to a good start, you can prepare the ground by adding some well-rotted manure or compost to the soil before planting. This will give your plants an excellent nutrient base as they grow. You can also mulch around the base of the native hedges.
The Destruction Ermine Moths Can Cause To Hedge Plants
Hedge plants are a favourite food for the caterpillars of the moth or ermine. The caterpillars eat the plant as they molt and turn into adults, and then fly off to lay their eggs on other hedge plants. When caterpillars of the ermine moth hatch, they feast on your garden. They can kill off young trees and shrubbery. They will also chew up the leaves and stems of your older hedges. In this article, you will know the destruction ermine moths can cause to hedge plants. Ermine Moths Control and the Effect on Hedges Ermine moths are a destructive pest of evergreen trees, shrubs, and hedges. You can find them throughout the UK and will often live in gardens or parks where there are plenty of deciduous trees. Most people know the caterpillars of ermine moths for their voracious appetite for the leaves of deciduous trees, shrubs, and hedges. The caterpillars tunnel in the leaves, leaving unsightly holes and causing a lot of damage to your plants. How to Get Rid of Ermine Moths in Your Garden Ermine moths get not considered a major pest by any means, but they can cause some damage to your hedges if left unchecked. They can also become an annoyance when they invade your home or yard. To keep them under control, you will need to employ several methods at once. The most effective way to kill ermine moths is with the use of natural pesticides. How to get rid of ermine moths. 1. Remove the Caterpillars One of the most effective ways to keep ermine moths from returning is to remove their food source. The adult ermine moth will lay eggs on the leaves of your plants, and when they hatch, the caterpillars will feed on them. If you are diligent about picking off the caterpillars, you can eliminate many potential problems before they start. Be sure to pick them off when they are small, and before they have time to cause damage. 2. Use Beneficial Insects One of the best ways to keep ermine moths from eating your plants is to introduce natural predators into your garden. Ladybugs, parasitic wasps, and green lacewings all love caterpillars as much as you do, so it makes sense that these bugs will also help control their population in your garden. 3. Apply Bt Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, is a bacteria that can be applied to your plants to help control ermine moth caterpillars. You will want to apply it as soon as you see the first signs of infestation in order for it to be most effective. If you don’t have access to Bt or would rather not use it, you can also try sprinkling cayenne pepper on your plants instead.
What Are Evergreen Hedge Types?
A beautiful, well-maintained hedge in your garden can serve various purposes. It can help block unwanted views and noise, be a boundary and, of course, improve the attractiveness of your garden. How you want to use your favorite type of evergreen hedges will depend on your interests. In this article, we will help you know what are evergreen hedge types. Portuguese Laurel Also known as prunus lusitanica, this evergreen hedge has lustrous green leaves that grow away from their maroon-colored stems. They are easy to grow and can be cut back when necessary. Choosing this type of hedge will help you create a boundary, improve the beauty of your home, and enhance the outdoor space. Those who need a dense hedge can prune this plant from late summer to autumn. Hedge Germander If you are looking for an informal, evergreen, and informal hedge, germander is the way to go. Hedge germander is a Mediterranean, aromatic plant that flourishes in similar conditions as lavender plant. After flowering, clipping it helps it increase foliage and provides a better evergreen hedge. It can grow well in an environment with full sun and well-drained soil. Griselinia Those after a bright, evergreen hedge can consider griselinia as the right choice. It is a hedge with apple-green, rounded foliage that can fit nearly in every home. If you are looking for a dense foliage from this hedge, annual trimming during late summer can help. This plant is tolerant of salt winds, making it a suitable hedge for coastal regions. Consider this type of hedge for all your evergreen boundary and outdoor beauty needs. Box Buxus sempervirens, box, are typically the evergreen hedging plant, and for the right reason. It has rich, small, good-looking leaves and can be clipped into an elegant hedge. Ensure you combat box tree caterpillars and box blight to keep your beautiful hedge growing. There are other varieties of evergreen hedges, such as Holly, Yew, Holm oak, Pittosporum, and more to choose from if you need to grow an evergreen hedge.
What Types Of Hedges Flower?
If you are looking to build a hedge with flowering plants, there are the best types of hedges to choose from. Sometimes having an evergreen hedge does not provide the exciting and attractive features for a beautiful landscape. Establishing a flowering hedge can offer seasonal interests, food for birds, and color. Here we help you know what types of hedges flower. Cornelian-Cherry Those looking for one of the earliest blooming hedges should consider cornelian-cherry. At the start of March, this hedge produces yellow flowers without even having a heavy foliage. Green leaves will follow and beautiful red fruits that attract birds. Growing flowering hedges of cornelian-cherry can produce fruits suitable for jellies and jam. Consider this elegant hedge if you are looking for a flowering hedge. Royal Star Magnolia An attractive flowering hedge option, Royal Star is covered by a white, double fragrant bloom during spring. It is followed by a green foliage during summer. For this hedging variety, flowers are the primary attraction, so if you need a hedge with an incredible floral display, Royal Star is the right hedge for you. Those who grow this plant in masses can make the most beautiful hedges and improve their landscapes. Teton Firethorn Another flowering hedge you may consider is the Teton Firethorn. Between May to June, these hedges are adorned by stunning flowers. They produce orange berries that persist from fall through winter. With sharp thorns, these hedges deter most domestic and wild animals. However, their sweet, good-looking fruits attract birds. Choosing this flowering hedge might provide boundary solutions at home. Viburnum If growing a flowering hedge is your next project, consider planting viburnum group of plants. This group comprises over 150 species of flowering plants that may suit your hedging project. It can grow well in many areas that are well-drained and with sufficient sunlight. Consider these flowering hedges for boundaries and aesthetic purposes.
What Are Fast Growing Hedge Types?
Fast-growing hedges are always in demand for any nature loving individual. Hedges have a wide range of uses, including privacy, shade, sheds, fences, and air-conditioning units. Rapid growing hedges are always desirable since they meet their desired purpose within a short time. In this article, we explore what are fast growing hedge types. Green Bamboo They make elegant looking hedges, improving the nature since they grow to desirable heights fast and have dense foliage. These hedges have green leaves with upright canes. The most popular fast-growing bamboo variety is the running type. This type spreads quickly, hence filling an area quickly, but one has to be careful so that it does not grow to the undesired regions. To prevent it from overrunning, barriers can be placed strategically. Alnus Glutinosa Alder is a fast-growing deciduous hedge plant with a dense leafy screen, with a growth rate of more than 60cm annually. This growth feature gives a habitat to wildlife, including birds, butterflies, moths, and caterpillars. This hedge thrives well in wet and quality soils, hence best suit for coastal areas and other waterside areas. In case of waterlogged gardens, alder is a perfect choice. Combining alder with other native species is advisable for an excellent-looking hedge. Cherry Laurel This species grows rapidly, having an estimated growth of 30-60cm per year. Cherry Laurel hedge has excellent features including evergreen foliage, white flowers and wildlife friendly. The Lauren hedging thrives in normal or dry soils, achieving heights of up to 5metres. This hedging, when used, aids in breaking wind and noise and improving the appearance with its evergreen foliage. Golden Leylandii For an attractive golden looking hedge, golden Leylandii is best suited. It explodes with a dense foliage up to 60cm per year. The Leylandii hedge thrives in normal soils, achieving heights of up to 6 meters. When choosing a fast-growing hedging plant, one should consider any of the above.
Helpful Information About Hedges And Drought In The Summer
Most plants require water all year round, but mostly between April and September. Hedges, trees, and shrubs with less than five years need sufficient moisture to encourage root growth in the soil and enable plants to flourish. During summers, a well-established hedge or shrub rarely requires water because it has developed spreading roots. That means they can survive on their own. In this article, we look at hedges and drought in the summer. Drought in Summer During summer, weather changes occur, and a dry spell follows. Temperatures increase and rainfall drops to a low-level affecting animals and plants. Most tree, hedges, and shrubs require watering for proper growth. However, the well-established plants survive during hot seasons. There are other plant species that can grow well as hedges regardless of the season. How Can You Support Newly Planted Hedge in Summer? Watering plants help them keep moisture during dry spells. Mulching is another critical way of retaining moisture in the soil to support plant growth. If you are tired of losing your hedge each summer, consider sprinkling, dripping, or other irrigation methods. They will help you keep your hedges and inspire envy in your neighbourhood. Planting drought-resistant plants can help you maintain your hedge. Here are plants to consider for your hedge that can survive dry summers. Lavender Hedging with lavender can help you during summer drought. All lavender varieties, such as the French lavender, Dwarf lavender, and English lavender, can thrive in dry soil. During dry spells, you will find this plant with aromatic foliage and grey-green leaves. It has all the important features that can help it make the most of the little moisture. Consider lavender if hedging is your next plan and you will have the best hedging experience in summers. Sweet Viburnum This fast-growing, hardy shrub is suitable for hedging in different locations. If you are looking for a hedge 1.3m to 3m tall, consider this shrub. It produces highly fragrant flowers and adapts to most soils, but dislikes bulky clay soil. It can also tolerate light frosts and ocean-side conditions. Sweet viburnum can grow for up to 40 years regardless of the drought. Indian Hawthorn This small and flowering plant can make a low-growing, beautiful hedge to suit your home beauty needs. During spring, it produces sweet-scented flowers, followed by sweet bluish-black berries. Indian hawthorn grows well in drought, rain, and frost. Using this shrub when hedging can help your hedge survive all dry summers.
How Often Should You Cut A Hedge?
When you have hedges or bushes that seem to get out of hand, hiring a professional or taking time to prune them is essential. If choose to prune hedges in your garden, you not only improve the beauty of your landscape, but also enhance its overall health. Most homeowners rarely know how to trim hedges, or even when to consider cutting them for that matter. How often should you cut a hedge? This article explains all the information you need. A mistake when pruning hedges can actually cost you your most valuable bushes or flowers. Since you do not want to lose the beauty of your landscape, trimming hedges well and on time is essential. In order to provide you with a great sense of when to cut bushes, this guide has some helpful tips. When do you expect to trim bushes? Well, this may depend on the type of bush you have in your landscape and trimming urgency. If you love seeing your outdoor space appealing, cutting a hedgerow on time will be a priority. There are times of the year when homeowners should cut hedges. Do you really know the appropriate time? If not, doing this work depends on types of plants. However, most people prefer trimming hedgerows during winter to facilitate better growth and prevent plants from wilting. Even when a homeowner has plant variations in their outdoor space, knowing the suitable period to trim them helps in maintaining their beauty and development. For example, some varieties of Azaleas only broom once a year and the right time to trim them would be after blooming. Newer varieties of Azaleas can broom twice and require cutting twice. If you maintain your lawn and landscape, make sure you know when to prune hedges. Having hydrangea shrubs in your landscape can call for cutting services to keep it tidy. However, it is necessary to know when you need to trim them. With hydrangea, there are mid-blooming, early blooming, and late blooming varieties. The specific variety you have in your home will help you determine the right time to prune. Cutting them immediately after blooming can help you keep them in an excellent growing condition. Your garden style and the type of hedging plants you use will often dictate when to prune. Whether you are considering the various hedges, including privet, common box, cherry laurel, English yew, or European beach, make sure you trim on time. The equipment you use while cutting hedgerows should also be the best to protect plants from damages. Consider trimming hedges at the right time and enjoy the beauty of your landscape.
Know How Hedges Help Wildlife Habitat Today
All over the world, wildlife plays a significant role in the ecosystem. As such, humans must live with the surrounding animals in a friendly manner. There exist natural boundaries that separate people and animals. Some of these boundaries are done by humans, while others come naturally. Many people who love their ecosystem might wish to set an edge and provide a good environment. Achieving this means incorporating some hedges. In this article, we learn how hedges help wildlife. Many people do not understand the importance of hedges within an ecosystem. Apart from keeping animals inside their natural fields and acting as boundaries, these boundaries remain a vital component for flora and fauna. With the destruction of many woodlands, animals and plants within an ecosystem suffer. Many species have thus become adapted to living within the barricades. The encloses become a roadway to get within the woods. Instated of building walls and fixing fences to act as wildlife boundaries, experts recommend hedges. The best solution involves native shrubs and trees. These shrubs and trees make it easy for different species to move between gardens and any other space. Therefore, these plants make it easy to move across. Another benefit seen comes in the form of food. A higher percentage of fauna depend on flora as food. Plants within a particular corridor act as food. Different species eat leaves, berries, flowers containing nectar, nuts and seeds. Some predators also get their food from insects that breed and live within that ecosystem. Humans need to have these barricades in various places. Once done, it becomes a link to different habitats. Research done indicates that a hedge provide a natural corridors. Animals can travel to and from many places within that corridor. If you care about the ecosystem, planting in the correct location will add that important corridor or link. Some people love to see birds flying around them. For such people, creating an excellent habitat remains a great investment. Trees, shrubs and other elements that make up a wildlife hedge provide an ideal habitat for pollinators and birds. These habitats allow birds and pollinators to thrive and increase in number. A regular fence will not provide this habitat. Privacy remains an essential element in the ecosystem. A barricade done correctly brings privacy to the species residing inside. Also, these boundaries act as noise reduction elements. Because of this, the species have a good time living within calm boundaries. In a single place or habitat, you find different sites. Each site remains ideal for a given species. These sites must remain connected to benefit flora and fauna. You will find people doing the planting, while some grow naturally, thus become the ideal connection to those sites. Though these barricades have played a significant role in helping flora and fauna, people must be keen when planting them. Choose wisely and allow the fauna to benefit. When grown to a good height, try to make some improvements so that the wildlife enjoys and benefits. On the sides, leave some spaces to act as corridors. By doing this, you get something that looks beautiful and also becomes part of the fauna.
Get Your Hedges Ready For Spring
As winter comes to an end and a new season begins, trees start springing to life. To ensure that your plants and trees grow and stay healthy, you need to take care of them. Here are some preparations you need to make to get your hedges ready for spring. It is important to trim the shrubbery. For this to happen, you need to have the right tools. This includes having pruners to prune the plants. A pruning saw or loppers can come in handy for plants that have thick branches. Hedge shears can be used to trim the shrubbery. One of the things you can do is trim branches that died over winter. Call in a professional or handle it yourself, if you have the tools and skills to do the job. The trimming should be done from time to time. In addition, remove branches that were damaged by ice and the cold weather. This will make the tree look more appealing and beautiful. Also, cut out branches that are starting to grow and crisscross into other branches. Shaping the plants early on before the season begins is a good idea. Shaping helps the plants to fill out in areas where spaces were left by damaged parts of the plant during winter. By doing it early on, the plants will take shape during summer months and you can enjoy the view. Once shaped, you will need to maintain it. Remove suckers from the plants. Suckers use up nutrients that should go to the plant. Suckers are the tiny branches that shoot up from the base of the branch. Also, remove branches that are growing vertically. When pruning, ensure that the base of the shrub is larger than the top. This allows for sunlight to penetrate to the base of the shrubs and stimulate growth. Removing thick branches from overgrown trees is advisable. This will promote new growth and the shrubbery will quickly fill up again and look thick and healthy. Ensure to make clean cuts when cutting off any branches. Clean cuts heal faster and promote faster growth. It is also important that you remove any debris that is around the plants. There is likely to be lots of dead leaves and branches that were left around during winter. Remove the leaves, debris and any dead plants. This will help you focus on your growing shrubs. Fertilize the shrubbery as the season starts. Add some compost or organic manure at the foot of the shrubs. In cases where you have trimmed off branches or you have raked up the dead leaves, you can use them as fertilizer. Rake up the dead leaves and rotting branches over the soil, where the shrubbery is. Healthy and nice looking shrubs will help to increase the beauty of your landscape. Taking care of the shrubbery is not a hard job; anyone can do it, as long as you have the right tools. Once the season starts, plants will start growing fast, so get ahead of tasks by getting your shrubbery ready, so as to get ready for the new growth.
What Are Fast Growing Hedge Types
When planning landscaping and beautification of the outdoor spaces of your home, there are typically several types of plantings and other features which are considered. One of these is a hedge. Hedges are used for various reasons, but homeowners usually want hedge types which will grow quickly in order to improve the aesthetics of the area. When a tall boundary line of plants is needed to screen an area or to define a property line, the question becomes: What are fast growing hedge types that can be planted to show the most results in the shortest time? It is easy to become overwhelmed when choosing from a nursery catalogue, so identifying several characteristics before buying is important. The size of the plants when mature is a critical element. Deciding between flowering and non-flowering plants is another factor. The amount of care which each type of border plant requires is also to be considered. Of course, the climate and soil type are also elements which should be considered before planting. No matter how much you like the look of a particular plant, if you live in a cold climate and the plant prefers a warm and humid environment, your plantings may not thrive. Tall hedges are a low cost way to define boundaries while beautifying the landscape. Fast growing hedges means that the initial cost is lower and the plants soon become large and tall enough to provide a privacy screen without spending the money that planting taller greenery would require. It is important to think about how the plantings tolerate shade and sun, as well. Are they tolerant of dry weather, or do they need constant babying to maintain an aesthetically appealing appearance? If deciding on a plant from pictures in a catalog or online is still challenging decision-making powers, the suggestions of a landscape architect or nursery personnel can assist with the right choices
