HEDGEROWS are as much a part of Ireland's heritage as stout and wheaten bread. They define much of the country's landscape, green lines separating the characteristic patchwork of fields that stretches from Mizen to Malin.
The earliest examples date from the Neolithic age, when they were employed to keep wild animals out rather than keeping domestic livestock in. New laws in the 18th and 19th centuries that made it obligatory for landowners to erect proper permanent boundaries saw a major expansion of the hedgerow and ditch network, which in many cases replaced or augmented stone walls.
These living barriers became elongated nature reserves, a slimline alternative habitat for the creatures displaced as the woodlands and forests steadily disappeared across the island.
For nearly two centuries the hedge system prevailed – blackthorn, hawthorn, crab apple, guelder rose, willow, ash, elder and many more, interwoven with briars and ivy to create a thick, impregnable barrier.
Mechanisation and increasingly larger farm machinery needing access to bigger fields means that there aren't quite as many hedges as there once were. However, now that their role as carbon sequesters and as the last bastions of biodiversity is finally being widely recognised, the hedge's decline may be arrested.
Even some gardeners, who would have previously preferred for a more formal hedge such as privet or escallonia, are instead going native because they realise the benefits to wildlife and their garden's ecology.
Hedges aren't suitable for every boundary situation and they do require a bit of upkeep, but I would urge every gardener to opt for hedging instead of a wall or fence wherever practical, or even combine the two.
From an aesthetic point of view the seasonally changing background texture and colour complements other plants, while in environmental terms it provides food and shelter for insects, birds and mammals.
A hedge is also more weather-resistant, generally cheaper and has the potential to last hundreds of years. Added to this, an established hedge is a better windbreak than a solid fence as it filters and slows wind.
Establishing hedging can be extremely cost-effective, especially if you opt for bare root stock between now and the start of spring.
When buying bare root plants (as opposed to root-balled plants in containers that can be bought and planted all year round), it's important to ensure the roots don't dry out. This often means 'healing in', which is finding them a temporary home in an unused veg bed or like, where the young trees' roots can stay immersed in moist earth until it's time to plant.
When it's time to put them in their permanent location, dig a hole that can easily accommodate the roots and improve the soil with compost or well-rotted manure. Fill the hole with water and push the roots into the puddle before back-filling and firming-in. Plant bare root material about 25-50cms apart and at the height, as indicated by soil on the trunk, that it was previously grown at. Water well until established, especially in dry periods.
If you need uniformity in your hedge, beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a good compromise, as is the slower growing and more expensive Irish yew (Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata').
For the less inhibited, there's a range of big and small trees and shrubs to choose from. Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) form the basis of most traditional Irish country hedges and there's no reason why they won't work in a garden setting.
As well as forming a thick, thorny, barrier that will deter intruders, both will provide that unbeatable combination of spring blossom and autumn fruit.
Augment the hawthorn and blackthorn with less prickly additions such as guelder rose (Viburnum opulus), spindle (Euonymus europaeus), holly (Ilex) and field maple (Acer campestre).
