wind break - what would be the best plants?

trish.jameson53

Hi,
I removed a large out of control hedge earlier this year and planted roses, lavender and salvia instead.  The border is exposed but sunny and well drained.  I am worried my plants will not be established well enough for the winter, especially if it is as cold as last year was.  I think the main problem will be the wind and am looking for ideas for plants I can put at the north facing end of the bed that will break the wind and provide some protection whilst looking attractive.  I don't mind putting in an arch or pergola but want ideas on what could provide some protection this year if planted this late.

Thanks

Dovefromabove

I think that anything planted now will be vulnerable to the autumn gales and winter winds ... if your roses, lavender and salvias need protection from the winds I'd put in some posts and erect some windbreak netting to protect them ... even if you plant some sort of windbreak plants a fence of windbreak netting will protect them too. 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/windbreak-netting

Fire

Maybe a roll of wicker or hazel might help.

trish.jameson53

Thanks and I will put in something temporary this year. Any suggestions for very hardy shrubs that are also attractive for next year?  The particular corner of the garden is flat and very exposed, particularly to northern winds.  I haven't had such an unprotected garden before so any ideas would be appreciated!  thanks in advance.

Bijdezee

Escallonia, berberis, hawthorn, elaegnus, all those are very wind tolerant. I have a similar problem living near the coast with open fields behind us. 

raisingirl

elder, rosa rugosa, holly, some lilacs if you keep them reasonably well pruned so they don't flop about. Likewise buddleia. Most grasses, including bamboo.

I generally find evergreens don't cope, even things that are apparently tough like laurel, the leaves just burn off. The only exceptions I've found are holly, juniper, eleagnus and euonymous. Native deciduous trees like hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, elder and willow all cope fine - traditional hedging plants. Dog roses and crab apples also seem to be happy enough though less productive than in sheltered positions.

Fire

Native shrubs - elder, holly, hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel.

trish.jameson53

thanks again everyone - great advice!

ERICS MUM

I’ve got a Lonicera ‘Baggesen’s Gold’ in my north facing hedge and it seems fine.  It’s not the most exciting of shrubs but it’s evergreen and a fast grower, although I keep it neatly trimmed.