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beech hedging / what can i grow undrneath
joe barnes
Posts: 12
Hi I have beech hedging surrounding my front garden at a hight of about 8ft since we have lived here I've been unsuccessful in growing under it, so have had bare borders ever since can you help with some ideas and advice pkease. Thank you in advance.
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Posts
Spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils, tulips etc. You don't mention if the border gets any sun at all. Even with none there are plants to suit. I suggest checking the RHS website as they have a plant finder page which once you enter your aspect and soil type and what type of plant or even colour you want it will create a list of suggestions. It may not just be shade that an issue you may need to look at the condition of the soil as it may be very dry or poor in food or structure next to such a large hedge.
Joe, I have a large beech hedge at my front boundry & can't grow stuff under it. I now don't bother, just throw bird food under it.
Maybe if you widen the border and don't disturb the Beech you could grow things, subject to aspect as Flower girlie has said.
I find the hedge hungry & thirsty and don't want to do anything to "upset" it ,as it is important for privacy.
How wide is the border joe. I wouldn't grow anything under a hedge unless cyclamen or something else very small seeded there. And I wouldn't grow anything right up against a hedge in a narrow border either, it would give a very mean, cramped look.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Cyclamen hederifolium for late summer flowers, C. coum for late winter to early spring, Anemone blanda for spring, all will look after themselves there.
I'd widen it by a few feet and plant well away from it. Leave the 3 feet as breathing room for the hedge and maintenance space for you. Plants will probably grow better then. But choose those that like it dry.
In the sticks near Peterborough
I put primrose under my hedge and it works a treat - still got flowers now.
Bluebells grow in beech woods in their thousands. But I think the wider border is a good idea. I had a copper beech once in a border like that. It needs plenty of compost or manure to help retain moisture and you can plant dry shade plants like foxgloves, brunnera, dryopteris ferns, epimedium, geranium macrorrhizum, heucheras etc.