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Native hedging

CollareddoveCollareddove Posts: 173
in Garden design
I have just finished planting 20m of 2 yr native hedging.  I didn't have quite enough to complete a double staggered row so a friend has kindly given me some willow whips to fill in.  I am a bit wary about planting these alongside the more traditional native plants as they never seem to be included in hedging bundles.  I wonder if this is because they are fast growing and might outgrow the rest of the hedge?

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    Willow does grow fast and isn't really a hedging plant


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Yes willow grows very quickly but can be easily pollarded. Agree though with @nutcutlet they aren't a hedging plant.
  • McRazzMcRazz Posts: 440
    Collareddove said:
    I have just finished planting 20m of 2 yr native hedging.  I didn't have quite enough to complete a double staggered row so a friend has kindly given me some willow whips to fill in.  I am a bit wary about planting these alongside the more traditional native plants as they never seem to be included in hedging bundles.  I wonder if this is because they are fast growing and might outgrow the rest of the hedge?
    They make good living arbors, arches and features if you have the space! 
  • Balgay.HillBalgay.Hill Posts: 1,089
    I think the willow would spoil the look of your hedge.
    If you have doubts now, you might be looking at it for years wishing you had kept it all the same mix.
    Sunny Dundee
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    It might be better to space out some of the plants you have a bit more. They'll soon fill in a slightly wider than recommended spacing.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd agree with @JennyJ, but I appreciate that you may not want to do that!
    I wouldn't put the willow in. 
    Some hedging companies have sales on as we're right at the end of bare root season. Might be worth getting a few more whips of something you like if you can afford that  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    The problem I would suggest with willow is once it gets going it grows metres in a year and has very deep roots which suck out any moisture. You'd likely need to keep it trimmed far more often than the rest of the hedge and it would probably weaken the plants around it in the future.
    If you can't get anymore plants now then I would wait until next year as you might have the odd plant that doesn't take anyway and can fill in the gaps when you know what you need.  
  • CollareddoveCollareddove Posts: 173
    Excellent response from EVERYONE.  And unanimous aggreement!!  I shall get a few more native hedging one or two year old, bare roots to fill in where necessary, and maybe plant the willow whips somewhere where they can't encroach on anything else - I have somewhere in mind.  Such good advice from this forum. Thank you all!
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511
    I agree willow is unsuitable; better to buy a few more hawthorn or wild roses.
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    Willow whips could also be woven to make a 'fedge', arbour  or archway, but they would need regular pruning to keep them in hand :)
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