I’m a bit fascinated with hedges. So much so that I even have a few hedge witch books on my bookshelf (1, 2, 3)--purely for research purposes . . . or is it! I even started to write a fantasy novel where the hedge plays a major role in the plot (still working on it—don’t expect it anytime soon), but I’m no hedge monkey, although some of them make pretty music.
Hedges are a diverse habitat for many woodland species; sadly, hedges are sometimes the only environment left for these species, which is why there is a movement in Britain to protect them. Natural hedges are formed from wind-dispersed seeds and the seeds in bird droppings. There are generally shrubs and trees, too. Overtime, these plants grow thick; get interspersed with vines, brambles, and wildflowers. This ecosystem provides food, shelter, nesting and denning sites for a variety of wildlife. Acting as corridors, they also offer safe passage for wildlife (or perhaps even elves and faeries!) In folklore, the hedgerow was one of the boundaries between the human world and the spirit world.
For those who find themselves of the human persuasion, hedges muffle sound, make good wind breaks, and provide privacy, foraging opportunities, as well as being pretty to look at. I personally enjoy watching the birds and bees fly about.
I spend a lot of “garden time” (similar to “me time”) exploring the hedge. The former owners mowed the lawn right to the edge of the woods. We’re too lazy for that, and so a hedge has begun to grow in its place. I’m learning about the plants growing there, and how to maintain and help the hedge develop. For example, I have some Mountain Ashes—a protective, magical tree—that stand in the back. In these areas I would like to clean up the hedge a bit, put in a stone path up to the trees and a little sitting area so I can spend time with them and not worry about ticks and thorns. I would plant a variety of native woodland species in the surrounding area. For my hedges in general, I would also like to plant more native shrubs and trees to improve upon the diversity in a few different spots—the rest I will let develop naturally. If the native plants have food or medicinal uses as well, all the better.
Just a few of the plants growing in my hedges:
Northern Wild Raisin
Mountain Ash
Golden Rod
Evening Primrose
Wild Rose
Yarrow
Asters
Old apple trees
Brambles (blackberries and raspberries)
For more information, see my resources:
http://www.ofnc.ca/fletcher/howto/hthedge_e.php
http://www.hedgerowharvest.org.uk/
http://www.opalexplorenature.org/HedgesFactandFolklore
http://www.opalexplorenature.org/sites/default/files/7/file/Top-10-hedge-tips.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedge
You have a hedge! How oldy worldy, as is having "old apple trees" on your property - hearing such things reminds me that I really do live in the wild west on the frontier. The land I live on has been inhabited for only 15 years!
ReplyDeleteII had to look up northern wild raisin as I'd never heard of it before. It definitely doesn't grow here. Can you eat the fruit?
I am very fascinated by the fact that where you live the land has only been inhabited for 15 years. People here always seem to be fascinated by the West. My hubby moved here from BC for the roots and history that he felt was absent in BC--still, in my imagination, it is a wonderous place. One of my top 3 dream travel destinations!
ReplyDeleteMy property was owned by the same family for generations. They lived next door where the son who built our house now lives. So our land, we our told, was always a natural meadow and the family farmed on it. The son was given our piece and that's why he built the house and landscaped the property (about 25 years ago) before he had to sell it. He still owns the land around us.
The berries from the Northen Wild Raisin are edible, but contain large seeds so not great for making jams etc. But ok for a nibble here and there and I read you can make juice from them. They're act like a laxative. The berries really start to ripen in the fall. I watched the shrubs change since this spring when I first realized that they might be the Northren Wild Raisins that I saw in my edible plant guide.