Living hedges, widely known since ancient times, still do not lose their popularity. This is not surprising, because such a fence is inexpensive and fits organically into the landscape.
The hedge can be made of small plants located along the sites, paths and lawns, or from curly representatives of the flora “spreading” along the frame. How to make your site correctly decorate your site with such a living wall?
It is best to use hardy and unpretentious plants that, if desired, can be cut. However, it must be remembered that, for example, the lilac is characterized by a focus on the soil, although it is very easy to cut. You can use rose hips, hazel, game and honeysuckle, for high hedges – thuja western and spruce, for low – magic and spirea.
The height of the hedge can be any. Low structures will act as borders for lawns and flower beds, tall – as a fence. The latter is recommended to trim, as this will stimulate their growth, which will lead to dense growth, which will not allow small animals to penetrate through such a wall.
Work on the manufacture of hedges should begin when the first yellow leaves appear. First you need to dig a trench of the required length with a depth of 40-60 cm. Its width will be determined by the number of rows of planted plants. If a row is one, 50-60 cm is enough, two-at least 80 cm. The bottom of the trench is covered with a layer of soil with a layer of peat or compost with a layer of soil. Seedlings (deciduous-2-3 years, coniferous-3-4 years) are planted so that the root neck is 2-3 cm below the surface of the soil. If the plants grow quickly, then the distance between them should be relatively large, if slowly – closer.
Another option is a trellis fence. To do this, one row of seedlings at a distance of 15-20 cm from each other is planted. Somewhere in a year, plants are cut to a height of 10 cm. When the shoots shake it, all the shoots, except the two strongest and most healthy ones, cut off, and the remaining tie the cross-steam with their neighbors, tilting to 40-50 degrees. In order for the shoots to grow together faster, the bark is cut off in the place of contact. In a year, the procedure is repeated, and only after that it turns out a large hedge.
If the plants are planted too deep, if there was a lack or excess top dressing, then the hedge can turn out to be uneven and low. In two rows, it is better to plant only shade -tolerant plants, and coniferous plants need to be planted in no more than three rows. And, of course, do not forget about the haircut.
It is necessary to care for a hedge regularly and correctly. Planted plants need weeding, loosening and watering. The haircut is usually carried out in the fall in the second year after planting, but not on all plants. So, the pine does not like a haircut, as this leads to drying and breaking branches.