Animal Friendly Hedging Mix
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Animal Friendly Hedging Mix

€90.00 inc VAT
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Our Animal Friendly Hedging Plants have been carefully chosen in a mix of species that will quickly grow into a stockproof field boundary while being completely safe to animals that may be in the enclosure.

Half of the plants we supply will be Quickthorn (Hawthorn), necessary to knit the hedge together and make it stockproof, while the balance is a mix of both thorny and non-thorny species to give interest in flowers, catkins, berries and Autumn foliage through the seasons.

The result is a natural-looking and effective hedge that is free from both very long damaging thorns (such as Blackthorn) or poisonous species, making this mix ideal for animal paddocks.

Simply plant them in a randomised mixture for a natural look that will quickly become a haven for wildlife.

 

The prices shown for our Animal Friendly Mixed Hedging is per Bundle of 50 plants.

 

Full details of the species included in our Animal Friendly Mixed Hedge may be found at the bottom of the page (we don’t label the individual species), simply plant them in a randomized mixture for a natural look that will quickly become a haven for wildlife.

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Animal Friendly Hedging Plants are suitable for all soil types in full sun or partial shade. When you may want to consider protecting your new hedge, firstly from rabbits with some of our spiral tree guards (and 4ft bamboo canes to keep them firm). And something to keep the animals on the field away while the hedge establishes, as they are very inquisitive and love a nibble on something new! We would recommend a temporary fence or electric tape at a distance of 2 metres from the plants.

Our Animal Friendly Hedging Mix is made up of the following species:

  • 50% Quickthorn or Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). Needed in quantity to knit the hedge together and make it stockproof.
  • 50% selected from the following:
    • Common Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)
    • Dog Rose (Rosa canina)
    • Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus)
    • Hazel (Corylus avellana)
    • Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)
    • Red Rugosa Rose (Rosa rugosa Rubra)
    • White Rugosa Rose (Rosa rugosa Alba)

What are the benefits of Animal Friendly Hedging?

There are five main benefits of Animal Friendly Hedging:

  1. Happy, healthy Animals! Animal Friendly Hedging does not pose any risk to your animals if they choose to munch on the foliage, giving you that all-important peace of mind.
  2. It encourages biodiversity. By using a mix of animal friendly hedging plants, you’re creating a natural sanctuary for local wildlife. It’s a safe space for nesting birds, and supports pollinators like butterflies.
  3. It keeps your animals secure. Animal friendly hedging naturally marks the boundaries of your paddock, ensuring your animals are safe and contained while they’re out grazing.
  4. It protects your animals from harsh weather. Minimise the intensity of bright sunshine and strong winds – animal friendly hedging is a natural windbreaker and source of shade.
  5. It offers long-term value to your paddock. Once your animal friendly hedging is established, that’s it – you have a durable, long-lasting addition to your property that only requires the occasional trim.

Are laurel hedges poisonous to horses?

Most laurel plants are poisonous to horses.

Excluding Bay Laurel, nearly all varieties of laurel hedging, including types like Spotted Laurel, Etna Laurel, and even Compact Hedging, are poisonous to horses. This is due to the hydrocyanic acids found in the leaves, berries and stems of the plant..

This toxin is fatal towards horses, and therefore should not be in your hedge mix or garden. Bay laurel, on the other hand, is considered to be far less toxic to horses. However, it should be noted that ingesting the raw Bay Laurel leaves in large quantities can pose dangerous health risks to your horse.

Explore our page on the extent to which Laurel Hedges are poisonous for more information, to keep your horses and other wildlife safe.

Multiple packs : Bare root Animal Friendly Mixed Hedge plants are sold on a 50-plant basis, but orders for multiple packs of the same mix will not be broken down into individual 50 plant packs. (For example – an order for 6 packs (300 plants) will be supplied as 75 x Quickthorn, 75 x Blackthorn, 75 x Hornbeam and 75 x mixed species, not in 6 individual bundles of 50)  This saves us time preparing orders meaning we can give discounts for orders of 2 or more packs in the pricing tables on this page. We don't label the individual species.

How many plants do I need?

How many plants do I need?

Animal Friendly Mixed Hedging plants are supplied as top quality bare root plants available when dormant from November until April or as potted plants that can be planted out at any time of year. All our hedgerow mixes are sold in multiples of 50 plants.

The number of plants needed is a matter of choice. As a rule, the more plants you use, the quicker the hedge will develop, and it will become stockproof more quickly. (approximately within 5 years). Here are some guidelines:

Single Row
When planting a new Animal Friendly Hedge, we recommend using 3 plants per metre for a single row hedge (setting each plant 13inches/33cm apart).
Double Row
For a thicker double row hedge, use 5 plants per metre (setting the plants 40cm apart in each row with 40cm between the 2 rows).
Extra Thick
For an extra thick and dense hedge that may be achieved more quickly, use 7 plants per metre in a double row (setting each plant 11inches/28cm apart in each row with 40cm between the 2 rows).

spotted Laurel hedging plant spacing chart

Planting

The number of plants needed is a matter of choice. As a rule, the more plants you use, the quicker the hedge will develop, and it will become stockproof more quickly. ( approximately within 5 years). Here are some guidelines:

Single Row
When planting a new Animal Friendly Hedge, we recommend using 3 plants per metre for a single row hedge (setting each plant 13 inches/33cm apart).

Double Row
For a thicker double row hedge, use 5 plants per metre (setting the plants 40cm apart in each row with 40cm between the 2 rows).

Extra-thick hedging
For an extra thick and dense hedge that may be achieved more quickly, use 7 plants per metre in a double row (setting each plant 11 inches/28cm apart in each row with 40cm between the 2 rows).

When planting, we recommend adding a sparing amount of bone meal to the soil. Rootgrow is also very effective for speeding up establishment. If you have a good supply of horse manure, this can be used provided it is well rotted and crumbly., Mix it in well, and don’t use too much.

We have a useful How To Plant a Hedge guide with lots of tips on getting the best from your plants. We also send a printed copy with your plants, so you have it to hand.

Aftercare

Like our other hedgerow mixes, Animal Friendly Hedging is best trimmed from August onwards when nesting birds have fledged (and before the end of February when the new nesting season starts). With any luck you may be able to persuade a neighbouring farmer to trim it back with his flail hedge trimmer if the hedge is a long one, and just as good as cutting by hand.

For maximum wildlife benefit you might like to consider only cutting only one side of the hedge each year. While this will make the hedge larger and wider it will provide much more cover for wildlife and birds. It will also make the hedge much more productive in terms of flowers, nuts, seeds and berries for the wildlife because there will always be some 2 year old branches on the hedge that are more likely to produce flowers and fruits.

If you have any other questions about our Animal Friendly Hedging Plants, please do drop us an email, or call our team of hedging experts on +353 44(0)9606864.

Delivery

Orders are being despatched within 3-5 working days, delivery is 1-2 days after we despatch.

Delivery is free for most orders above our free delivery thresholds, these are displayed above our prices in the product listings and summarized below. If you don’t need that many plants it’s not a problem, you can choose to pay our delivery charge and only order what you need.

Delivery is convenient – no signature is required so you don’t need to wait in, we will leave your parcel in the safe place that you nominate.

Delivery is fast – because we pick orders daily from our own growing beds your plants only travel the small hop to our packing shed before being sent to you, they are usually delivered within 5-7 working days.

Delivery is reliable – we have been selling and delivering Hedging Plants to our customers nationwide since 1992. We have a lot of experience in packing them safely and only use tried and tested delivery partners.

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