Hedges for structure
When we were younger did we have a stronger connection to plants?
If so was it because of our size and stature and that we were facing plants at a lower height! Yes that’s when running through cornfields was a heavenly experience. I remember pulling leaves from hedges as I strolled along on those lazy afternoons of childhood and slowly tearing them into artistic art forms.
‘Get your hands off my Griselinia’s’ shouted an unimpressed neighbour as she leaned out her front door. Was she talking to me? The leaf puller!
Yet I had no idea what she was talking about and what was a Griselinia?
I now know a Griselinia littoralis is a common hedge lining many suburban gardens in Dublin, a bright green evergreen plant that has been of great benefit to greening our city.
Hedge rows such as Griselinina, laurel, Ligustrum or Holly all have one thing in common and that is they are evergreen, they do not shed their leaves in winter. These plants are the green structure that frame our gardens, shelter us from wind, sound and soften our common concrete pathways. They create privacy and can be a very attractive addition to the home. These shrubs have the capability, if left alone from pruning, to grow up to six metres tall and become small trees yet we control them to suit our needs like many things in life! Many of these hedge plants are very hardy and have the capability to withstand harsh conditions, for example Holly can work great in a coastal situation as it will tolerate salt breezes and strong winds.
If so was it because of our size and stature and that we were facing plants at a lower height! Yes that’s when running through cornfields was a heavenly experience. I remember pulling leaves from hedges as I strolled along on those lazy afternoons of childhood and slowly tearing them into artistic art forms.
‘Get your hands off my Griselinia’s’ shouted an unimpressed neighbour as she leaned out her front door. Was she talking to me? The leaf puller!
Yet I had no idea what she was talking about and what was a Griselinia?
I now know a Griselinia littoralis is a common hedge lining many suburban gardens in Dublin, a bright green evergreen plant that has been of great benefit to greening our city.
Hedge rows such as Griselinina, laurel, Ligustrum or Holly all have one thing in common and that is they are evergreen, they do not shed their leaves in winter. These plants are the green structure that frame our gardens, shelter us from wind, sound and soften our common concrete pathways. They create privacy and can be a very attractive addition to the home. These shrubs have the capability, if left alone from pruning, to grow up to six metres tall and become small trees yet we control them to suit our needs like many things in life! Many of these hedge plants are very hardy and have the capability to withstand harsh conditions, for example Holly can work great in a coastal situation as it will tolerate salt breezes and strong winds.
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| Hawthorn (Crataegus) | Native hedgerow featuring Hazel and Irish Whitebeam (from butterfly conservation Ireland) |
Hedges also serve as wildlife corridors throughout the year, so they are of great ecological benefit to our cities and towns.
There are many other great native deciduous plants for hedgerows such as Hazel or Hawthorn and while the classic Beech is deciduous its leaves remain attached turning a vibrant copper colour for winter interest.
A more contemporary use of hedges can be found in design projects whether in front or back gardens such as Bamboo, Buxus, Yew, Photinia or even floral plants such as Lavender.
So while we wait for the emergence of spring bulbs to dazzle us with colour and beauty or bear witness to the unusual performance of the Magnolia flowers on bare wood! I guess I will just run my fingers through the Griselinia leaves and refrain from pulling!
There are many other great native deciduous plants for hedgerows such as Hazel or Hawthorn and while the classic Beech is deciduous its leaves remain attached turning a vibrant copper colour for winter interest.
A more contemporary use of hedges can be found in design projects whether in front or back gardens such as Bamboo, Buxus, Yew, Photinia or even floral plants such as Lavender.
So while we wait for the emergence of spring bulbs to dazzle us with colour and beauty or bear witness to the unusual performance of the Magnolia flowers on bare wood! I guess I will just run my fingers through the Griselinia leaves and refrain from pulling!
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