FLOWERING HEDGES ARE LABOUR SAVING

Press, Volume C, Issue 29565, 14 July 1961, Page 6

FLOWERING HEDGES ARE LABOUR SAVING

Who hasn't bemoaned the day when the hedge was planted? That attractive little row of plants that grew to be an all-consuming monster, Bft high and sft through, which needs clipping three times a year, just when you want to be doing something else. That’s the snag with hedges—they may be cheaper than a paling fence, but they’re a lot more work. As a general rule, however, the cheaper the hedging plant you buy the more expensive it is in labour for maintenance. Cheap plants grow quickly, whilst expensive plants are slower growing—that’s why they cost more, for they take longer to reach saleable size.

Have you ever tried a flowering hedge. though? They are excellent for internal divisions inside the garden, and they don’t need regular pruning, just an occasional removal of long branches with the secateurs. Certainly they aren't the neat and tidy affairs that some gardeners like, but then you don't get flowers on a clipped hedge. Give them about four or five feet of space to grow in. and you will get a magnificent display in season. Plants for flowering hedges will have to' be bought at specimen plant rates, which makes them rather expensive, but much wifler spacing than the orthodox hedge is required—3ft or thereabouts—so this cuts down the price slightly. You’ll find it's an effort that’s worth while. Here are a few suggestions of suitable plants:— Low flowering or berrying hedges, suitable for the front of the section, include Cotoneaster conspicuous, Caryopteris —the “Blue spiraea,” dwarf pomegranate, Grevillea alpina dallachiana—a winter flowering beauty, and Lavender. Medium size include Hydrangea, Hebe speciosa with its different colour varieties, the long flowering Cistus “Sunset,” Coleonema pulchruip—or Breath of Heaven, and the fine berrying Herberts. “Autumn Cheer.”

Tall growing types include, amongst many others, deciduous azaleas. Abelia schumanii, the many colours of Japonica, Camellia sasanqua varieties, and the spring flowering Forsythia.