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Back to Key. Next (A).. (B).. (C).. (D-F).. (G-I).. (L-O).. (P).. (Q-R).. (S).. (T-Z).

Checklist of plants suitable for hedging and windbreaks: B

Botanical name Common name Deciduous/ Evergreen Height Growth rate Hardiness Wind Notes
Baccharis halimifolia Bush groundsel D M-T M 5 M Any soil.
Baccharis patagonica   E M S-M 8 M Any soil
Bambusa multiplex Bamboo E M-T M 9   Rich moist soil, sheltered position. Edible shoots. Fibre for paper.
Berberis amurensis Barberry D M M 6   Most soils
Berberis darwinii Barberry E M S-M 7 M Most soils. Edible fruit. Yellow dye, medicinal.
Berberis gagnepainii Barberry E M S-M 5   Most soils.
Berberis soulieana Barberry E M M 6   Most soils.
Berberis x stenophylla Barberry E M S-M 5 M Most soils. Edible fruit.
Berberis thunbergii Barberry D M M 4   Most soils. Edible fruit and leaves, not at all nice. Yellow dye, medicinal.
Berberis verruculosa Barberry E M S-M 5   Most soils.
Berberis vulgaris Common barberry D M M 3   Most soils. Alternate host of black stem rust of cereals. Edible fruit, tea.
Bupleurum fruticosum   E M M 7 M Well drained soil.
Bursaria spinosa Christmas bush E M S 8   Well drained moisture retentive soil. Used in suntan lotions to protect from U.V.light.
Buxus sempervirens Box E S-T S 5   Most soils, sun or semi shade. Resists honey fungus. Medicinal.

KEY

D = Deciduous E = Evergreen

Height:- S = Small (to 4ft for hedges, 20ft for trees.) M = Medium (to 6ft for hedges, 50ft for trees.) T = Tall (over 6ft for hedges, over 50ft for trees.)

Rate of Growth:- S = Slow M = Medium F = Fast

Wind Resistance:- W = tolerates Windy sites M = tolerates Maritime exposure

Hardiness zones 1(hardiest) to 10:- most of Britain is in zone 7 or 8 with some upland and northern areas being colder whilst western and southern coastal areas are milder.

 

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

 

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