Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
close together with little air circulation, pests
and diseases can run rampant. Just like
children at a crèche; if one catches
something, they all do! For this reason I have
not included species in the tables prone to
fungal diseases or mite infestations. Myrtus
luma, Luma apiculata, Viburnum tinus and
Choisya ternata are all frequently
recommended as hedging plants, but are all
subject to pest and disease problems.
Site preparation
Most hedges are planned to be long-term
members of the landscape, so there is really
only one opportunity to get your hedge off to
good start. They are a landscape structure
and site preparation needs the same
consideration as the foundations of a
building. Mark out the site and prepare a
trench the proposed length and width of the
established hedge. Remove all perennial
weeds, enrich the soil with compost and
manure and check that the drainage and soil
reflect the optimal conditions for the species
you are planting. Try to create uniform soil
conditions for all the members of the hedge.
Figure 4.57 This hedge has lost its basal foliage as the
upper part of the hedge overhangs the base so there is no
access to light. Low light conditions have weakened the
growth. Cypress is prone to this problem even when well
cut.
A successful hedge should be clothed from top
to bottom in foliage presenting a unified and
unbroken surface. Select from species that can
maintain their basal foliage to prevent an
unsightly gap at ground level developing (see
Figure 4.57). Such gaps will ruin the visual
effect of the hedge and create wind tunnels
detrimental to adjacent planting.
Flexible irrigation pipes that can be moved
out to the drip line (see page 45) of the
hedge as it grows can also be planned now.
Good soil preparation will ensure strong
growth so that the individual plants will mesh
quickly into one community - a hedge.
Formal hedges are best selected for their
foliage. Shrubs with showy flowers are best for
informal hedges. Flowers will interrupt the
crisp line of a formal hedge, or if forced into
submission, will poke out awkwardly from the
foliage outline.
Always allow some access space either side of
the hedge for maintenance. If you have
selected a plant with extremely vigorous
roots, you may also want to install a root
barrier to a metre deep so all garden
elements can thrive undisturbed.
Hedging plants should be as tough as
possible. When so many individuals are grown
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