Some of the most common questions I am asked, especially by younger, non-experienced gardeners, are around bare root hedges – probably first-time home buyers who haven’t had much interest in gardening before. One customer asked “do you have any Beirut hedges? I don’t really know what they are. Is it Beirut they come from?”
Bare root hedge plants are just that…a plant with bare roots that you plant in a row to make a hedge. We are almost reaching the time to plant these, as we are heading into the dormant season when plants are naturally at rest, normally from the end of October to the end of March – so replanting bare roots into your garden will not harm them in any way. I would always encourage you to plant these by the end of November – only because it is sometimes more difficult to be motivated in January and February and there may be a better selection to choose from early on.
So, what types of hedge should you plant:
• Beech is my favourite (Fagus sylvatica). It is fast and easy growing; it has superb foliage and changes colour throughout the year from green to copper.
• For a smaller hedge box hedging (Buxus sempervirens) is ideal. It can be used to make formal low hedges and borders and, who knows, you may even decide to create a topiary masterpiece from it!
• Or what about the shiny green leafed Laurel Hedge, be it, Common or Cherry Laurel Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia'. This is a great fast-growing option too.
I once planted a trumpet hedge in my garden but it started to annoy me and I had to root-it-oot”!!!
Next week, I will explain the best way to plant bare root hedging.
PLANT OF THE WEEK: ACER PALMATUM ‘OSAKAZUKI’
Also known as the Japanese Maple, Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki’ is a fantastic burst of Autumn colour – a stunning deep orange and red hue with a dramatically shaped leaf. It prefers a moist but well drained soil, ideally in a south or east/west facing position to catch the sun. This is a wonderful investment for your garden long term, taking 10 to 20 years to reach full maturity and a height of between 2.5 and 4 metres tall.
Colin has been working in the gardening industry for over 30 years and owns 7 Garden Centres across central Scotland and is passionate about Scottish plants.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here