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Back to Key. Next (A).. (B).. (C).. (D-F).. (G-I).. (L-O).. (P).. (Q-R).. (S).. (T-Z).

Checklist of plants suitable for hedging and windbreaks: Q - R

Botanical name Common name Deciduous/ Evergreen Height Growth rate Hardiness Wind Notes
Quercus ilex Holm oak E T S-M 7 M Most soils except cold poorly drained.Edible seed,oil.Slug repellent,tannin.
Quercus petraea Oak D T S-M 4 M Most soils.Edible seed-coffee substitute.Slug repellent,tannin.
Quercus robur Oak D T S-M 6 M As above.
Rhamnus alaternus   E M M 7   Well drained
Rhamnus cathartica Buckthorn D M-T M 3   Most soils preferably calcareous.Primary host of Oat crown rust.Dyes,medicinal.
Rhamnus dahurica   D M-T M 5   Most soils.Tea,dye.
Rhamnus frangula Alder buckthorn D M-T M 6   Moist fairly fertile soil,sun or part shade.Dyes,medicinal.
Rhaphiolepis umbellata   E M-T M 8   Most well drained soils,sheltered position.Edible seed,a famine food.Brown dye.
Rhododendron spp. Rhododendron E M-T M 5-7   Lime free peaty well drained soil.Species incl:-R.lutescens,R.luteum,R.ponticum.
Ribes sanguineum Flowering currant D M-T M 6 M Most soils.Edible fruit-can store 2 months but that does not make it any nicer!
Rosa acicularis   D M M 2   Most soils.Edible fruit,young shoots.Tea
Rosa glauca Red leaved rose D M M-F 2 W Most soils
Rosa macrophylla   D M-T M-F 7   Most soils.Edible fruit.
Rosa multiflora   D M-T M-F 5 W Most soils.Edible fruit,young shoots.
Rosa nutkana Nootka rose D M M 4   Most soils.Edible fruit.petals,young shoots.Tea.
Rosa rubiginosa Eglantine D M-T M-F 4   Most soils.Edible fruit,petals,young shoots.Tea,medicinal.
Rosa rugosa Ramanas rose D M M-F 2 M Most soils.Edible fruit,petals.Tea,medicinal.
Rosa virginiana Virginian rose D M M 3 W Most soils.Edible fruit,young shoots.Stabilizing sand dunes.

 

D = Deciduous E = Evergreen

Height:- S = Small (to 4ft for hedges, 20ft for trees.) M = Medium (to 6ft for hedges, 50ft for trees.) T = Tall (over 6ft for hedges, over 50ft for trees.)

Rate of Growth:- S = Slow M = Medium F = Fast

Wind Resistance:- W = tolerates Windy sites M = tolerates Maritime exposure

Hardiness zones 1(hardiest) to 10:- most of Britain is in zone 7 or 8 with some upland and northern areas being colder whilst western and southern coastal areas are milder.

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

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