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Choice of hedging
Hi, I have an unusual problem in that I want to plant a hedge to prevent old leaves and some silt from penetrating part of my garden from occasional flooding from my mill leat. The fast-flowing flood water brings the leaves with it, and I'm hoping that by planting a dense hedge I can form a barrier, allowing the water through, but catching the leaves (which are the main problem to clean up afterwards).
The soil is fairly heavy with clay.
Any help or advice would be most appreciated.
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Hi Keith - many plants will struggle to cope with excess water, but I'd reckon Laurel should be ok, forming a dense hedge. Hornbeam copes well with wet ground too. However, it's still good practice to improve the ground before planting, and in your case I'd add plenty of grit and compost to the planting holes which will help the plants cope with excess moisture. You could also mound up the soil and plant on top of that to encourage water to drain away.
I think it would also be worthwhile putting a basic screen in between your hedge and the water as well - some posts with the mesh used for wind protection for plants in exposed conditions. That would help with keeping the leaves at bay too.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hi Fairygirl, many thanks, there's some great advice here. I will certainly check out the types you suggest. Not sure if a mesh screen would be practical in our situation, but I suppose that time will tell if the hedge is sufficient...if not then a mesh may well be the next step. Thanks again.
Regards
Hi, we had thuja plicata (atrovirens I think) on heavy clay in our last garden, but as FairyGirl says, best to add grit and compost to break it up. It was a nice thick hedge and coped well with cutting back hard unlike some hedges.
I'd also agree on hornbeam.
Many thanks for all these great suggestions...looking into all of them!