Hedging Plants – Gorse

Name – known botanically as Ulex europaeus

Description and uses – This native shrub has dense, dark green shoots and vicious spines giving the appearance of an evergreen although it is not. From March to May and often again in late summer it provides a dazzling display with its deliciously fragrant pea-like bright yellow flowers. Gorse is very tolerant of maritime exposure which means it can be used as a windbreak hedge in the most exposed positions, making an impenetrable barrier with its vicious thorns and is very good for stabilising banks and slopes on poor soils. For new gardens in particular, gorse is an excellent pioneer species because it is fast-growing, feeds the soil with nitrogen and provides good conditions for woodland trees to become established. These trees will eventually out-compete the gorse, which is unable to thrive in strong shade.

Maintenance and problems – As a hedge species trim after flowering to a height of three to five feet. An easily grown plant, it requires a poor soil and a sunny position to be at its best. Although native to Britain and said to be hardy to about -20°c[, gorse often suffers badly in severe winters, but the plants usually recover. Gorse also tends to accumulate dry dead spines at its centre, which can be a serious fire risk in dry summers so these should be pulled out with a rake in spring. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus and have a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, which form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilised by the growing plant but some is also be used by other plants growing nearby.

Hedging gorse photograph by foxypar4, used under a creative commons attribution licence

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