We talked in detail about which trees and shrubs can be used to create a hedge. However, the willow deserves to dwell on this version of the green fence in more detail. The willow fence turns out to be unusually delicate, it is not a continuous array of thickets, albeit clipped. At the same time, the fence will be quite reliable and will last for many years..
The “construction” of a living fence begins with planting thin willow seedlings. It is important to remember that in total there are about 600 species of willow! For hedges, experts say, varieties such as white or silver willow, holly willow, Babylonian, purple willow, Schwerin’s willow and basket willow are best suited.
The process of planting young annual seedlings of the selected willow variety begins in the spring and includes the following processes:
- Choosing a place. Decide where exactly your graceful and romantic fence will be located. You can fence off the entire plot with a living fence, highlight one of the zones in the garden, fence the patio, for example;
- On the selected site, in order for the fence to be level, pegs are installed and a rope, wire is pulled;
- A trench with a diameter of about 30 centimeters and the same depth is dug at this level;
- If the soil in the area is rough, you can add sand to the pit. Compost and peat will not interfere, but experts assure that young willow trees will grow without feeding;
- Seedlings can be planted in one or two rows, the distance between plants is 15 to 20 centimeters, an angle of 45 degrees is maintained, that is, at an angle;
- Thin trees need support, the future fence is fixed with a barbell;
- Remember to water your row of willow seedlings.
Important! The trunks of willow seedlings are too fragile, so you shouldn’t start intertwining them right away, let them get a little stronger. You can start forming a beautiful openwork hedge in a couple of months and even next spring.
Willow is an unpretentious tree, it grows quickly, it tolerates pruning painlessly. Having chosen a frost-resistant variety, and there are most of them, you can be sure that nothing will happen to the hedge in winter. Of course, it does not hurt to cover young trees for the winter from pests, including hares, as well as additionally protect from severe frosts and winds.
Caring for a willow fence consists in regularly trimming with pruning shears, extra side shoots are removed, the fence should grow mainly in height, but also thicken at the same time. Over time, willow trees will get stronger, and the fence will become impassable, and it will last at least 30 or even 50 years..
As an example of another option for arranging a willow fence – as you can see in the photo, seedlings can be planted densely without intertwining. In this case, the fence will turn out to be more massive, solid, but it will be more difficult for trees to grow..
Recognize that willow is a great option for creating a hedge that is unpretentious, beautiful and reliable..
Can anyone provide some examples and tips on creating and maintaining willow hedges? I’m interested in using them in my garden, but I’m unsure where to start. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!