Bird Cherry Hedge (Prunus padus)

Bird Cherry Hedge Plants Description

Bird Cherry Hedging Plants (Prunus padus) are a stunning choice for those seeking a hardy, fast-growing hedge with seasonal interest. Native to the UK and Europe, Bird Cherry is valued for its attractive blossom and wildlife-friendly properties.

Bird Cherry is a fast-growing hedge plant, with an average growth rate of 30-60cm (12-24 inches) per year. It can reach heights of up to 8 metres (26 feet) if left untrimmed, but is easily maintained at a more manageable height with regular pruning.

Leaves: The glossy, dark green leaves are oval and pointed, turning attractive shades of yellow and red in autumn, adding seasonal colour to your garden.

Flowers: In late spring, Bird Cherry produces clusters of fragrant, white flowers that hang in long racemes, providing a stunning display and attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Fruit: After flowering, the plant develops small, dark purple to black cherries. While these fruits are bitter for humans, they are a valuable food source for birds and other wildlife.

Bark: The smooth, reddish-brown bark is another distinctive feature, especially in winter, when it adds texture and interest to the landscape.

Pruning Advice

Bird Cherry is typically grown for its natural aesthetic and is often left to grow with minimal intervention. However, depending on its location, light pruning may be necessary to tidy the hedge. This should be done in the summer, after flowering and fruiting, to remove any dead, broken, crossing, or diseased branches.

Pruning Bird Cherry at inappropriate times, especially during the winter, can be detrimental to the plant and may increase susceptibility to diseases such as Silver Leaf and bacterial canker. To maintain the health of your Bird Cherry hedge, prune only when necessary and ideally during the summer months.

Further Information

Bird Cherry thrives in moist, well-drained soils and is highly adaptable, tolerating both sunny and partially shaded positions. It is particularly well-suited for wildlife gardens and can be used in mixed hedgerows to encourage biodiversity.

This versatile plant is an excellent option for those looking to create a natural, informal hedge with year-round interest. Its fast growth, fragrant blossoms, and wildlife appeal make it a standout choice for UK gardens.

Planting distances are very much a matter of choice - for bare roots, 3 plants per metre is adequate, 5 is good, 7 in a double staggered row will give a dense hedge quicker. Generally, smaller plants should be planted at higher density. Cell grown should be planted at 4 per metre in a single row or ideally 6 per metre in a staggered row.

Delivery & Returns

Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:

* Standard Sized Boxes (Bare root up to 1.2m tall & pots up to 7.5L) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £100 | or £7.99 charge.

* Tall Sized Boxes (Bare roots 1.2m & over) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £100 | or £14.99 charge.

* Pallets (Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees etc | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £350 | or £60 charge.

* Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £1500 | or £450 charge.