The shadow bell presents itself from its beautiful side all year round. Although it is poisonous, it is often planted as a hedge. But why is this tree so popular as a hedge plant and what care does it require in order to remain he althy and vigorous?
Why is lavender heather a good hedge plant?
The lavender heather hedge is suitable as a hedge plant because it is evergreen, grows densely, tolerates cutting and is undemanding. It can serve as a privacy hedge and grows well in shady areas. Care includes annual pruning after flowering and occasional watering.
Why the lavender heather is ideal as a hedge
There are many reasons to choose lavender heather as a hedge plant. This copy convinces with several arguments:
- evergreen (attractive all year round)
- dense growth
- suitable as a privacy hedge and/or cutting hedge
- hardly any leaf fall
- slow growing
- easy to cut
- undemanding
- likes to grow in partial shade to shade
- bell-like flowers
- 2 to 4 m high
- hardy
Finding a location for the hedge
You should place this hedge in a semi-shady to shady location. The following applies: the darker, the fewer flowers but the more foliage. A location protected from wind and winter sun is also important. The best time for planting is between August and September. Keep a minimum distance of 50 cm between the individual lavender heaths.
The ground at the feet of the lavender heather should also be suitable. This plant does not place much emphasis on nutrient richness. Quite the opposite: it needs a nutrient-poor substrate. A humus-rich, easily moist and permeable soil is also advantageous.
Cutting the hedge
When cutting this hedge, diseased, dead, crossing, too close and old shoots are removed. But unlike other plants, the lavender heather is not cut in autumn or spring.
The following points should be kept in mind:
- be sure to thin out to prevent baldness from below
- cut every year
- Cutting reduces risk of disease
- cut during or immediately after flowering (June/July)
- shorten all shoots slightly
- sharp, clean secateurs (€14.00 on Amazon) for thin shoots, pruning shears for older branches
- Wear gloves and safety glasses (lavender heather is poisonous)
- Advantage: vigorous new growth
Tip
You don't have to take great care of this hedge. In addition to cutting, watering is only recommended in dry seasons and on frost-free days in dry winters.