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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.

 

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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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