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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: L - O

Botanical name Common name Deciduous/ Evergreen Height Growth rate Hardiness Wind Notes
Laurus nobilis Bay tree E M S 8   Well drained fertile soil in full sun. Flavouring.
Lavandula angustifolia Lavender E S M 5 M Light dry warm soil, sunny position. Flavouring. Insect repellent, essential oil, medicinal.
Lavandula latifolia Lavender E S M 7 M As above.
Leptospermum laevigatum   E M-T M 9 M Most soils. Sand binder.
Leptospermum scoparium Tea tree E M-T M 8 W Most soils. Tea, green dye, insect repellent.
Ligustrum delavayanum   E M-T M 7   Most soils, sun or shade.
Ligustrum lucidum Chinese privet E M-T M 7   Most soils, tolerates shade and drought. Medicinal.
Ligustrum ovalifolium Privet E M-T M 5 M Most soils, sun or shade.
Ligustrum vulgare Privet D M M 4 M Most soils, tolerates drought and shade. Basketry, ink dyes, medicinal.
Lonicera nitida   E S-M M-F 7   Most soils.
Luma apiculata Temu E M-T S-M 8 W Most well drained soils.Edible fruit.
Lycium barbarum Boxthorn E M S-M 6 M Sunny position,well drained soil.Edible fruit and shoots.Medicinal.
Lycium chinense Boxthorn E M S-M 6 M As above.
Maclura pomifera Osage orange D M-T M 5 W Most soils,sunny position.Food preservative,insect repellent,tannin,yellow dye.
Mahonia aquifolium Oregon grape E S-M M 5   Most soils,sun or heavy shade.Edible fruit,dyes,medicinal.
Mahonia trifoliolata   E M S-M 7   Most soils preferably hot and dry.Edible fruit.Dyes,ink,tannin.
Metasequoia glyptostroboides   D T M-F 6   Most soils but slow in dry sandy soils or shallow chalk.Soil stabilization.
Miscanthus sacchariflorus   Grass M-T M-F 8 M Most soils,not dry.Dies down in winter.
Muehlenbeckia complexa Maidenhair vine D M-T M 8 M Well drained soil in sun or semi-shade.Dioecious.Edible fruit.
Myrtus communis Myrtle E M-T S-M 8 W Most well drained soils.Flavouring.Essential oil,medicinal.
Olearia spp. Daisy bush E M-T M 8 M Most soils. Many species incl;-O.aviceniifolia, O.x.haastii, O.illicifolia, O.macrodonta, O.solandri, O.traversii and O.virgata.
Orixa japonica   D M M 6 W Any soil,sun or shade.Edible young leaves-spicy.
Osmanthus x burkwoodii   E M-T S 6   Most soils esp chalk.Other species include:-O.decorus,O.delavayi and

 

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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