Hedge laying Fuchsia

JohnBoy

Hi,

I have a Fuchsia hedge that's not been maintained for a number of years.

It's 10-12 feet tall and very open at the bottom. I want to bring it back in check as the tenants have taken to sticking pallets in gaps. God forbid they'd ever have cut it!!

Anyhoo I was thinking about laying the hedge, but whenever I try and look into it all I can find is that it should be removed from hedges as it's an invasive species. Well I'm sorry but it's in west cork and I think it's bloody well naturalised at this stage I'm not removing the hedge, we've loads of other non Fuchsia hedges around the place.

So, has anyone any experience of laying Fuchsia? will it work at all? when should I do it, and where would a lad be likely to pick up willow for intertwining in the hedge?

Git101

Give the Hedge Laying Association of Ireland a call. They should be able to advise you.

JohnBoy

I'll try them although when I spoke to them at the ploughing two different guys on the stand basically said I should take out the hedge and plant white-thorn as fuchisa isnt a native species.

websites I've looked at seem to be anti fuchisa too. but none suggest it cant be laid, just that it's bad because it's non-native.

greysides

Fuschia is tough vigouress plant.

It roots readily from cuttings and from self-layering so laying the hedge should work really well- if the stems make this feasible.

I'd say options could include copicing (cutting the plants to the ground) and allowing them to regrow from the stumps and roots. My only reservation is that I don't have specific knowledge of this being done. Rejuvenating other hedges is often done one side at a time to cut down on the shock to the plants. I suppose if it doesn't work you can always sow a hawthorn hedge.

I like Fuschia as a hedge, we have some of it on our road ditch and there's lots of it around here.