6.3 5 Evergreen, 5 deciduous plants for screening

Question 1

Planting requirements

Answer 1

Autumn (spring second best)

Bare root, container grown or root balled

Most are planted single row (30-60cm apart)

Fagus and Betulus are usually double row - plants 30cm apart and rows 30cm apart)

Remove weeds

cultivate a strip of ground 1 metre in width (1.5 for double rows) and add OM

firm the soil to remove large air pockets

Rake level

Use tape measure and canes to mark stations

Dig holes to easily accommodate root system

Base dressing of bonemeal eg at 70g/metre squared incorporated into soil

Back fill, water and mulch

Question 2

Hedging height key

Answer 2

S = maintain at 30-90cm 
M = maintain at 90-120cm
M-L = maintain at 90-180cm or as taller hedges or screens
L = can be maintained at over 180cm

Question 3

Functions of hedges

Answer 3

Privacy

boundary definition

added security

screening for eyesores

A foil or backdrop

ornamental features eg topiary

shelter from wind

habitats for wildlife

Question 4

Formality/informality

Answer 4

Informal - cottage style - allowed to grow loosely and often for flowers eg Rosa rugosa. Prunus spinosa also gives added security. Usually only trimmed once a year

Formal - crisp outline and dense habit. Often evergreen or deciduous plants that keep their leaves such as Carpinus betulus and Fagus sylvatica. Taxus and Lavandula angustifolia

They must be clipped up to three times a year (Taxus is slower growing)

Question 5

Name

Answer 5

Ilex aquifolium

M-L

For cold, exposed areas and shade

dark, glossy green spiny leaves. Small white flowers in spring are followed by bright red berries on female plants

H 12m+ S 4-8m

Any soil, any pH, well drained

Full sun/partial shade, any aspect

H6

Question 6

Name

Answer 6

Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’ (evergreen)

M-L

Formal hedging - for cold, exposed areas

upright habit. Large shrub or small tree

Autumn: red arils

Uses: architectural, hedge/screen, low maintenance

H: 4-8m S: 2.5-4

Texture: any pH: any, well drained

Aspect: NESW Shade to full sun Exposed or shelterd

H7

Question 7

Name

Answer 7

Rhododendrum ponticum

L

Acid soils only

Densely branched with tough, leathery dark green, oval leaves. Trusses of 10-15 purple, funnel shaped flowers in spring

H 2.5-4m S 2.5-4m

Not chalk soils, acid soils

Full shade to full sun, any aspect

H6

Question 8

Name

Answer 8

Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald n Gold’

S

Low growing hedge - for shade

Dwarf evergreen shrub of spreading habit. Broadly yellow-margined leaves, produces a few small greenish flowers

H 0.5-1m S 1-1.5m

Any soil, any pH, well drained

Full shade to full sun, any aspect

H5

Question 9

Name

Answer 9

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

M-L

large, upright conical tree with drooping branches, Dark green scale-like glaucous green leaves borne in flattened sprays

H 12m+ S 4-8m

Any soil, any pH

Full sun, any aspect

H6

Question 10

Name

Answer 10

Weigela ‘Florida Variegata’

M

Good for shade

ovate mid-green leaves edged with creamy white and clusters of funnel-shaped light pink flowers

H 1.5m-2.5m S 1.5m-2.5m

Any soil, any pH well drained soil

Full shade to full sun, any aspect

H6

Question 11

Name

Answer 11

Griselinia littoralis

A fast-growing large evergreen shrub with light green, broadly oval leaves

coastal, hedging, screens

H 4-8m

Full sun - not north or east facing

Question 12

Name

Answer 12

Carpinus betulus

For cold, exposed areas (more hardy than Fagus)

M-L

ovate leaves, conspicuously ribbed turning yellow in autumn. Catkins open in spring followed by hop-like catkins

H 12m+ S 8m+

Any soil type, any pH, well drained

Full sun/partial shade, any aspect

H7

Question 13

Name

Answer 13

Crataegus monogyna

M-L

Native hedging - informal cottage garden

For security and wet soils

Glossy, deep lobed leaves and flat sprays of cream flowers, followed by dark red berries in autumn

H 4-8m S 4-8

Any soil type, any pH, well-drained,

Full sun/partial shade, any aspect

H7

Question 14

Name

Answer 14

Fagus sylvatica

M-L

For cold, exposed areas, suitable for formal hedging

broadly oval leaves, yellow green in spring and russet brown in autumn. Small green flowers followed by bristly fruits

H 12m+ S 8m+

Any soil type, any pH, well drained

Full sun, partial shade, any aspect

H6

Question 15

Name

Answer 15

Prunus spinosa

L

Native hedging - informal cottage garden

For security

Dark ovate leaves and small white flowers in early spring followed by ovoid, bloomy black fruits in autumn

H 2.5-4m S 2.5-4m

Any soil type, any pH

Full sun only, any aspect

H7