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