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Gardening with Gael - I decided to plant a hedge

 

 

thumbnail Coprosma lucida-667In a ridiculous move, quite questionable for the time of the year (I never recommend planting after October) I planted a hedge in early November. Garden Rambles always bring on a frenzy of gardening activity and as I drove up and down the drive the desire to plant a hedge along the base of the bank of the southwestern side of the drive overcame me.

This side of the drive, under old established totara trees and in direct line of the prevailing westerly winds poses many challenges. Along the fence line of the road we planted pohutukawa which has done a magnificent job of curtailing that particular wind. Why we didn’t go all the way I do not know because as soon as that hedge stops the wind funnels in. I have watched it beating the side of the kawakas and made many a mental note to plant that bank to protect them.

I have watched to see which plant may establish itself and prove capable of surviving the conditions. A plant, preferably native, that could thrive in a dry, windy location, withstand drought and require little to no attention. In the last couple of years a few Coprosma robusta (Karamu) have become established on the edge of the bank. Karamu fit all the criteria except the ‘require little attention’. Fast growing, the branches tend to become leggy giving the plant – unless regularly clipped – a scrappy untidy appearance. However, there they were and I decided they would do.

“Do you have any small Coprosma robusta?” I asked Rick and Jess of Mangawhai Natives. I explained the hedge I wanted to plant.

“I do,” said Rick, “but I have something better which will perfectly suit your criteria. Coprosma Lucida. Almost identical in appearance to robusta but with a more compact habit which is much less inclined to get leggy. Very drought resistant and are very easy to establish.”

Rick assured me they would hardly need watering at all. I went and had a look. As he explained, in appearance they are very similar but I could see that the leaf was shiny and fleshy which gives it the common name of shiny karamu. Commonly found on the forest margins I knew it would survive beneath the giant totara.

I collected some well-rotted grass clippings from my pile and lined all the holes. Into each hole I sprinkled some of the SaturAid I have previously mentioned that I had bought from Mangawhai landscape Supplies. There was enough rain for the month of November for the plants to get a reasonable start. With temperatures rising going away for a month worried me. Fortunately friends came to the rescue. There is no watering system at the Block and these plants are well away from any water supply. I collected 27 two litre plastic milk containers. These could be filled from the bore at my house at the beach and easily transported to the Block. I reasoned the two litres per plant every ten days if there was no rain would keep them alive. Plus we were giving single use plastic containers multiple uses.

The scheme worked well. The plants have thrived and are bushing up already. Thank you Marg, Sue and Mary.

Coprosma lucida’s large thick leaves make a tough low shelter or hedge.

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