Ecological Countryside Hedge Kit

This is a collection of 10 varieties of plants, easy to grow and maintain, for a natural mixed hedge. They are perfect for quickly creating a changing green screen throughout the seasons, which blends into the landscape while promoting biodiversity in the garden. A kit of 10 plants in pots allows for the creation of approximately 10 metres (33 feet) of countryside hedge.

The collection consists of:

- 1 Aronia arbutifolia Brilliant: approximately 3 metres (10 feet) in height and 2 metres (7 feet) in spread if not pruned. It slightly suckers and has deciduous, ovate, dark green leaves that turn fiery red in autumn before falling. It blooms in May, with clusters of white flowers sometimes tinged with pink, which are attractive to bees. From September to Christmas, it produces bright red fruits with a taste similar to blackcurrants, which can be used to make jam and are enjoyed by birds.

- 1 Buddleia davidii Pink Delight - Butterfly bush: approximately 3 metres (10 feet) in height and 4 metres (13 feet) in spread, fast-growing. It blooms from August to October on gracefully arching branches, with dense and upright clusters of 25 cm (10in) long, fragrant, and vibrant pink flowers. Its long deciduous leaves fall in autumn.

- 1 Carpinus betulus - Common hornbeam: approximately 2.50 metres (8 feet) in height and 2 metres (7 feet) in spread. Its foliage is neither deciduous nor evergreen, but marcescent, remaining on the branches until new spring growth appears. The leaves are dentate and light green, turning yellow-orange in autumn. Female catkins and leaves appear simultaneously in March, while male flowers in pale yellow catkins appear in autumn. The hanging clusters of green fruits turn yellow-brown when mature, in late September.

- 1 Cotoneaster lacteus - Milkflower cotoneaster: approximately 3 metres (10 feet) in all directions if not pruned. It has a relaxed and natural habit, with spring evergreen white and fragrant flowers that are followed by bright red berries that persist throughout winter. The evergreen foliage is decorative even in winter.

- 1 Euonymus europaeus Red Cascade - Spindle tree: approximately 3 metres (10 feet) in height and 2 metres (7 feet) in spread. The weight of its abundant bicoloured fruits, red and bright orange, arches and decorates its branches from late summer through much of winter. The foliage is green and takes on an intense red color with the first cool nights before falling.

- 1 Forsythia intermedia Spectabilis : approximately 2.50 metres (8 feet) in height and 2 metres (7 feet) in spread, fast-growing. It has deciduous foliage that is absent in winter. It is one of the first to bloom at the end of winter, in March-April, and is one of the most floriferous. Its small flowers are a bright yellow and appear along the branches before the leaves.

- 1 Cytisus procumbens Zeelandia - Genista : approximately 1.50 metres (5 feet) in all directions, fast-growing with a relatively short lifespan. The flexible, arched green stems bear small semi-evergreen leaves, which may or may not fall depending on the climate, in winter and summer. It has a massive flowering in May, with lilac, cream, and salmon-coloured flowers.

- 1 Ilex aquifolium - Common holly: approximately 2.50 metres (8 feet) in height and 1.20 metres (4 feet) in spread, which is slow-growing. Its long, flexible stems bear evergreen foliage that is very dense, shiny dark green, with wavy and serrated edges and sharp spines. It blooms in May-June, with small white to pinkish, fragrant flowers. Only female hollies produce characteristic bright red fruits when male hollies are present.

- 1 Prunus spinosa - Blackthorn: approximately 3.50 metres (11 feet) in all directions if not pruned. This large deciduous, thorny shrub or small tree is a familiar sight in our landscapes and impenetrable thickets. It offers a beautiful white flowering in March-April, before the leaves, followed by black, edible fruits called sloes that are sought after by birds.

- 1 Viburnum opulus Compactum - Guelder rose: approximately 2 metres (7 feet) in height and 1.50 metres (5 feet) in spread. This compact variety of the snowball tree has deciduous dark green foliage that turns red in autumn before falling. Its creamy-white flower balls bloom from May to June, followed by beautiful red fruits that are enjoyed by birds.

Plant these bushes preferably in autumn or early spring, in full sun or partial shade, mixing them and spacing them about 1 metre (3 feet) apart. They can thrive in well-prepared garden soil, even if it is chalky, improved with leaf compost to help them establish. Once well-established, they do not require watering in summer. 

Tip: Do not prune at the beginning of the season to fully enjoy the flowering! If possible, also avoid pruning at the end of summer to enjoy the fruits and feed the garden birds in winter. Only intervene occasionally to limit the overcrowding of a bush: preferably after flowering.