25x Bare Root Blackthorn Plants (2-3ft)

Bare Root Blackthorn Hedging - Description

• Bare Root Blackthorn Plants
• Prunus Spinosa
• AKA Draigean Blackthorn / Sloe Bush or Wild Plum
• Bare Root Plants - Not in Containers / Pots
• Size: 2ft (60 - 100cm)
• 2 Year Old Plant (1+0 /1yr trpl.)
• Quantity: 25 Plants
• Spacing Between Plants - Anywhere from 10cm to 30cm
• Depending on Thickness of Hedging You Desire

Delivery - Important Note - Please Read

• We can only deliver orders of this product by Fastway couriers
• Please do not choose DPD as your courier for orders containing this item

Bare Root Blackthorn Hedging - Characteristics

• Small tree growing to approx. 4m
• Deciduous, meaning it loses it's foliage in Winter
• Flowers in April & May
• Flowers appear before the onset of foliage
• Sloes are produced in Autumn
• Produces purple / black sour tasting berries
• A hardy plant - Well able for cold Winters

Bare Root Blackthorn Hedging - Uses

• This is a native plant of Ireland and is ideal in native gardens & hedgerows
• The thorny nature of these plants makes them ideal for boundary hedges & to increase security on your site
• Ideal for livestock proof hedging
• If grown as a hedge, they will form an informal hedge
• Great for attracting wildlife, birds & insects
• Can be planted with other native hedging plants such as...
  • Holly, Hazel, Whitethorn, Sambucus, Rosa Rugosa, Ivy & Brambles to form a native hedgerow
• Can be grown as a specimen tree and can reach a height of 4m

Bare Root Blackthorn Hedging - Planting Instructions

Sowing Time

• Plant all bareroot hedging in dormant season - October to March
• Avoid frosty conditions, where the ground is frozen

Trench Preparation

• Dig trench approx. 1.5ft wide & 1.5ft deep
• It is recommended that you add farm yard manure to base of the trench
• Lightly cover the manure with a layer of soil

Positioning Plants

• Space plants anywhere from 10cm to 30cm apart
• Stagger / alternate plants to create a double row
• This creates a wider & thicker hedge
• Back fill the top soil
• Be sure that the base of each plant is just below soil surface
• Compact soil in well with your foot
• Level off the soil around the plants

Handling the Plants

• Watering is essential - Both before & after planting
• When plants arrive, plant them straight away
• If you are unable to plant straight away - then 'heel them in' temporarily
• Keep plant's roots in their bag & avoid exposure to sun light
• Take care not to damage roots, bark & buds

After Care

• Watering must be done regularly until plants establish
• Water after planting
• If dry weather persists, water every 2 days
• Weeding is also essential
• A new hedge will need to be weeded at least 3 time over the growing season
• Weed in March, June & September
• We recommend using weed membrane & mulch to control weeds

Pruning

• Allow hedge to grow for the first 2 years
• Then cut back hard to encourage hedge to 'thicken' up

Blackthorn - Quick Facts

• Infamous for it's thorny nature, these plants form a dense, thick barrier
• Blackthorn recovers well from being cut back
• If you cut down to ground level, blackthorn will grow back a lot denser
• It is a native plant to Ireland
• A typical hedgerow in Ireland is made up of 10% blackthorn
• Blackthorn was often used to make walking sticks as the wood is light but firm
• The word 'Spinosa' means spiny or thorny

Glas Scheme - DAFM

• Rural Development Programme
• Glas - (Green, Low Carbon, Agri-environment Scheme)
• Points to note
  • Not a whole farm scheme
  • All farmers may apply
  • Receive up to €5,000/yr over 5 years
  • Approved advisor must prepare the application
  • Nutrient Management Plan required
  • No guaranteed entry to the scheme, priority basis
  • If there is a Priority Environmental Asset (PEA) on the land, it must be chosen before any other action can be taken
  • There are deadline dates to have actions completed by
  • Once submitted, a plan cannot be changed

Glas Scheme - Planting New Hedging

• Requirements
  • You can plant Blackthorn, Whitethorn or Holly
  • You must plant 6 plants per metre
  • Hedging needs to be fenced on both sides
  • You can not plant along a neighbours perimeter as access to both sides of hedge is required
  • Dead plants must be replaced
  • Weeds must be controlled
  • Plants must be purchased from a registered grower or supplier (Including ourselves)
• Rates of Payment
  
  • €5 per metre of hedging planted per year for 5 years
  • Minimum length of Hedge: 10m
  • Maximum length of hedge: 200m
• We can supply your EC plant passport when you order your hedging from us
• Keep this passport reference number for your reps