The Growers Choice: Countryside Stewardship Hedging Mix BN11

The Growers Choice: Countryside Stewardship Hedging Mix BN11

November 7th, 2024 by

Stewardship Hedging Solutions

Unlock the ecological and financial potential of your land with Countryside Stewardship Hedging Mix, supported by UK Government Countryside Stewardship incentives. Designed to meet the requirements for both BN7 and BN11 grants, our carefully curated hedging mixes are perfect for creating sustainable, biodiverse habitats.

Why Choose Our Hedging Mix?

Our native hedging solutions are tailored to meet the Countryside Stewardship mid-tier, higher-tier, and capital grant criteria. For the BN7 and BN11 grants.

With over 100 years of experience supplying plants nationwide, you can trust the experts.

Key Features:

  • Compliant with Government Grants: Fully aligns with BN7 and BN11 requirements.
  • Premium Plant Quality: All plants are 2-year-old transplants (45-60cm), ensuring they meet the specified height and quality criteria, grown by us, one of the UK’s largest commercial nurseries.
  • Optimal Planting Period: Plant between November 1st and March 31st to maximize success and comply with grant guidelines.
  • Additional plants – Can be purchased from £0.30p per plant + vat
  • Open a trade accountOpen an account with us for trade prices
  •  The grant application and planting are the responsibility of the landowner.

What’s Included in Our Mix?

Our standard hedging mix will feature a base of 60% Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and a minimum of four additional native species, such as:

  • Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)
  • Hazel (Corylus avellana)
  • Field Maple (Acer campestre)
  • Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)
  • Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris)
  • Dog Rose (Rosa canina)
  • Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus)
  • Beech (Fagus sylvatica)

Varieties are subject to availability and will be supplied in bundles of 25.

Need a custom mix? Contact our sales team for a bespoke quote tailored to your landscape needs.

Planting Guidelines

Our hedging mix is designed for optimal density, with six plants per metre, arranged in a staggered double row to ensure a dense and healthy hedge. Below is a guide to help you estimate the number of plants needed for different hedge lengths:

  • 100m Hedge: 600 plants
  • 250m Hedge: 1,500 plants
  • 500m Hedge: 3,000 plants
  • 750m Hedge: 4,500 plants
  • 1,000m Hedge: 6,000 plants
  • 2,500m Hedge: 15,000 plants

Use this guide to plan your hedging projects effectively.

Tree Protection Options

We offer hedging mixes with or without tree protection. For areas without rabbit fencing, we recommend adding tree guards and canes for optimal growth. Biodegradable options are also available upon request.

Delivery Information

As our hedging plants are bare root, delivery depends on seasonal conditions. Shipping begins in mid to late November, with prior notification provided.

Countryside Stewardship Hedging Requirements

To qualify for Countryside Stewardship grants, hedging must adhere to specific planting and maintenance guidelines:

  • Plant Density: A minimum of 6 plants per metre, arranged in a staggered double row with 40cm between rows.
  • Planting Season: Must be planted between 1st November and 31st March to meet grant criteria.
  • Weed Management: Keep the hedge weed-free for the first two years to promote healthy growth.
  • Tree Guards and Fencing: Any protective measures, such as guards or fencing, should remain in place until the hedge is fully established.

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the schemes below:

Countryside Stewardship grants – BN11

Countryside Stewardship grants – BN7 

Please note that we do not handle grant applications. 

Next steps

Contact us today to help with your requirements

Plant in focus: Camellia

Plant in focus: Camellia

February 26th, 2024 by

The Camellia is an evergreen flowering shrub. It originates in areas of Japan, Korea and China where it grows in woodland sites on peaty soils. It was introduced to the UK in 1739 as Camellia japonica. Camellia is from the Theaceae family; there are 220 known species and over 26,000 cultivars.

The main Camellia that you will find in the UK gardens is the Williamsii Hybrids. These were first introduced in Cornwall by John Charles Williams in 1923. They are now accepted to be the hardest and most reliable of the Camellia to grow in the UK. They are a hybrid of japonica and salvensis, which has led to a lot of hybridisations to rival that of the rose. This has given us a range of colours and flower types to be available to the gardener. The colour ranges from cream/ white through to dark pink and red. The flower size can be between 5 and 12cm in various forms, including semi-double, anemone form, formal double and single.

Other types of Camellias include Sasanqua which produces fragrant flowers during autumn and wintertime. Sinensis, which is a white flowering Camellia, the leaf, stem and bud when dried and fermented, are used for tea production. The Oleriferra, which produces seeds which are used in the manufacture of cooking oil and in cosmetics. Salvensis is a large evergreen variety found mainly in China. It produces a single white flower from October to November, mainly known for being a hybrid with japonica.

When establishing Camellia in a garden, choose a spot which is away from any cold winds and where it will be protected from morning frosts. It prefers acid soil but will grow in neutral. It is also an ideal plant for going into a container or growing in a conservatory. A Camellia needs very little pruning. Branches can be trimmed out if damaged, but leave this job until May. Any propagation can be done in summer from hardwood cuttings or layering. The best time to feed a Camellia is late spring into summer after flowering has finished. A feed which is suitable for ericaceous plants would be suitable. One which contains sequestered iron will also help feed the plant. Camellia is not susceptible to many issues; however, if the flowers start to go past their best and discolour on the plant, its best to remove them as there can be a risk of Camellia petal blight. This is not so much an issue with Camellia japonica, which will drop the flowers intact and Sasanqua, which will drop individual petals across the ground beneath them.

Some interesting Camellia facts.

  • In the 1880’s when a woman wore a white Camellia, it was to symbolize her commitment to women’s rights.
  • The destruction of prized Camellias was a subplot line to the story To Kill a Mockingbird.
  • Camellia is the state flower of Alabama.
  • The 10th hole on the Augusta National golf course is named Camellia.
  •  Finally, it takes 200 grams of fresh leaf to produce 50 grams of tea leaf. Time to make a brew.