Topic: Wildlife Hedge- Blackthorn or Hawthorn?

[Lance-allott]

Or a mix of both? I know I am cutting it short to put up a hedge-I want to have it in by next week. I live in South Devon. Any ideas?

Thanks again.

LA

[Palustris]

Mixed hedging is alway better than a mono-culture. If you could add a few more native species,it would be even better. If you need a thorny hedge then a few holly plants would be good .
Only caveat I have is that cutting a thorny hedge of that nature is very very unpleasant!

[Tin Shed]

My plot is on the allotment boundary so to add to the brambles already there I have added a buddlia and some blackthorn plants . The great thing about blackthorn is that you will get sloes and that means sloe gin!

[bombus]

Blackthorn is a food source of two of the Hairstreak Butterflies, and much loved as an early Pollen and Nectar supplier for my Honeybees.

[Robert_Brenchley]

The more native species you include the better. Buckingham Nurseries do a mix of native hedging plants that I'm thinking of using to fill some gaps. http://www.buckingham-nurseries.co.uk/acatalog/Index_Hedge_Collections_2.html#10798 . They also do native fruit which would be worth adding if the hedge can be allowed to get overgrown in places.

[barkingdog]

I've just bought some native hedging  ;D

I got hazel, sloe, dogwood, guelder rose, field maple, hawthorn and a spindle tree for good measure!

barkingdog

[triffid]

Just for reference: the Woodland Trust sells a wonderful range of native trees, including hedging trees.
Here's the link: http://www.native-tree-shop.com/

Not only are the saplings good-quality (I bought hazel, dogwood and spindle) but it's also good to know that all the proceeds go back to support the Woodland Trust.