- Characteristics
-
Details
The Spindleberry is a British native, often seen in hedgerows on chalky soil in the south of England. Fast growing, it is an attractive shrub in autumn when the leaves turn bright red and contrast with the strange pink 4-lobed fruits, which split partially open the reveal bright orange seeds. It is best grown in mixed wildlife hedges and on woodland margins, but is also a good garden shrub.
Site and soil
Best on well-drained or chalky soils. Does well in exposed areas and is very hardy.
Height and spread
Below are the approximate stages of growth, assuming sited in suitable conditions for this species;
After 10 years: 6m x 3m
After 20 years 6m x 3mLeaf and bark
The leaves are lance-shaped with serrated edges, mid green, changing to brilliant red before leaf fall in autumn. The bark is greyish-brown.
Flower, seed and fruit
The tiny greenish-yellow flowers open in small clusters in late spring. They are followed by 4-lobed pinks fruits, which split partially open to reveal the bright orange seeds within. The seeds are poisonous.
Uses
Screening, mixed wildlife hedges, specimen shrub. The Spindleberry is host to the beet and bean aphid and should not be planted as a farm hedge where these crops are to be grown. The wood is very hard and was once used for spindles, skewers, pipe stems and artists charcoal. The bark was used medicinally to treat liver disorders.
Wildlife
Numerous insects, including bees and hoverflies are attracted to the flowers. The flowers are pollinated by St Mark's Fly.
- Plant Protection
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The main reasons for buying protection is to protect the plants against:
- Pests
- Spraying
- Strimming
Pests
When it comes to deciding what protection to choose the golden rule is to choose the product dependent on which pest you are protecting against. The below will help you in deciding what height of protection you will need.
Vole, Mice
20cmRabbit
60cmHare
75cmRoe Deer/Muntjac
1.20mFallow Deer
1.50mPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.
Vole, Mice
20cmVole Guard
20cmNone required Pest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Rabbit
60cmSpiral Guard
60cm x 38mm, 60cm x 50mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsTubex Easywrap
60cm x 50-65mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsMesh Guard with Spray Shield
60cm x 130mm2 x Bamboo Canes
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsTubex Fruitwrap
60cm x 65-80mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsTubex Ecostart
60cm x 57-73cmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Tree Shelter
60cm x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube
60cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube
60cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Shrub Shelter
60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 144-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Shrub Shelterguard Mesh Tube
60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube for Shrubs
60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Hare
75cmTubex Easywrap
75cm x 50-65mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbsSpiral Guard
75cm x 50mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbsTubex Fruitwrap
75cm x 65-80mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbsTubex Ecostart
75cm x 57-73mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Tree Shelter
75cm x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Combitube
75cm x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube
90cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube
75cm x 80-110mm, 90cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Shrub Shelter
75cm x 130-160mm, 75cm x 144-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Roe Deer/Muntjac
1.20mTubex Tree Shelter*
1.20m x 73-105mm, 1.20m x 80-120mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmTubex Combitube*
1.20m x 73-105mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube*
1.20m x 80-110mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube*
1.20m x 80-110mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmGalvanised Mesh Tree Guard*
1.20m x 300mm
*Not recommended for this speciesMachine Rounded Tree Stake
1.20m x 50mm, 1.50m x 50mmPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest Fallow Deer
1.50mTubex Tree Shelter*
1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmTubex Combitube*
1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube*
1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube*
1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmGalvanised Mesh Tree Guard*
1.80m x 300mm, 1.80m x 600mm
*Not recommended for this speciesMachine Rounded Tree Stake
1.80m x 60mmSpraying
Tubex tree shelters offer the benefit of not only protecting against animal damage, they also ensure that herbicides do not come into contact with the plants during spraying.
The main reason for spraying is weed control, however, there are other options available to suppress weeds, such as weed control matting.
Strimming
Young plants should be protected from damage caused when strimming. To protect plants solely for strimming, our strimmer guards are the ideal product.
- Planting & Care
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Planting
More commonly used as part of a mixed species within a native hawthorn hedge.
New hedgerows should be planted in two staggered rows 30cm apart.
We recommend a minimum of 5 plants per metre.
Aftercare
Hedges should be trimmed in winter.