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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: S

Botanical name Common name Deciduous/ Evergreen Height Growth rate Hardiness Wind Notes
Salix alba White willow D T F 2 M Prefers a stiff moist soil.Edible leaves. Basketry, medicinal.
Salix "Bowles hybrid" Bowles willow D T F 4 M Prefers a stiff moist soil.Basketry.
Salix caprea Goat willow D T F 5 M Most soils if moist.Basketry,leather substitute.
Salix lanata Wooly willow D S-M M 2 M Most soils.
Salix purpurea Purple osier D T F 5 W Most soils.Basketry,medicinal.
Sambucus nigra Elder D M-T F 5 M Most soils.Edible fruit-cooked-and flowers.Insect repellent,tea,medicinal.
Santolina neopolitanum   E S M 7   Sunny position,poor soil.
Santolina rosmarinifolia Holy flax E S M 7   As above.
Sasa palmata Bamboo E M M 7   Moist well drained loam.Plant supports.
Semiarundinaria fastuosa

Bamboo 

 E T M 7   Moist well drained loam,sheltered position.Edible young shoots.Plant supports.
Senecio spp.   E M-T S-M 8 M Most soils.Species incl:-S.greyi,S.laxifolius,S.monroi,S.reinoldii,S."Sunshine".
Shepherdia argentea Buffalo berry D M-T M 2 W Most soils,drought resistant.Edible fruit.Red dye.
Sinarundinaria nitida Bamboo (Fargesia
nitida)		 E T M 5   Moist well drained loam,best in semi shade.Plant supports.
Smilax aspera Sarsaparilla E M-T M 9   Most soils.Edible young shoots.Root used in soft drinks.Dye,medicinal.
Sorbus intermedia   D M-T M 5 M Most well drained soils,preferably moist.Sunny position.Edible fruit.
Spartium junceum Spanish broom D M-T F 8 M Most soils,preferably lime free.Basketry,fibre,dye,essential oil,medicinal.
Spiraea spp.   D M M 4-5   Most moist soils,sunny position.Species include:-S.x.arguta,S.japonica and S.thunbergii.
Symphoricarpos albus laevigatus   D M-T M-F 3 W Most soils and situations.Invasive.Edible fruit?Besom.Other species can also be used.
Syringa vulgaris Lilac D M-T M-F 5   Most soils,warm sunny position.Essential oil,dye,medicinal.

 

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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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

 

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