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Greendykes Avenue Hedgerow |
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This hedgerow is a boundary hedge for the Thistle Foundation. It is mostly Hawthorn and Wild Privet, with Elder and Elm, and some Snowberry at the Castlebrae end. Hawthorn is also known as ‘May’. It was once considered so sacred that to use any part of it was forbidden, and some people still consider it unlucky to bring Hawthorn blossom into the house today. |
Despite this, the flowers and leaves were used medicinally to soothe sore throats. Hawthorn supports over 140 insect species. Many of these eat the leaves (look out for ‘leaf miner’ tunnels on the leaves), and bees and other pollinators are attracted to the flowers. These come out around May time, hence the alternative name. The berries come out in the autumn and are vitally important for birds in the winter, as they remain on the bush long after most other hedgerow berries have gone. These are eaten by Redwings, Fieldfares, Songthrushes and Blackbirds. Thorny, dense Hawthorn hedges also provide a protective haven for Blackbirds and Finches to nest in.
The ground plants beneath this hedge include Lesser Celandine, Chickweed, Stinging nettle, Cleavers, mosses, Spear Thistle, Dandelion, Creeping Buttercup and Bramble. The Hawthorn and Privet mix carries on round the corner, up Greendykes Road, round the Thistle, but it is trimmed back, to look neat and tidy.
| What to look for and when | |||
| Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
| Delicate, white Elder flowers
White Hawthorn flowers Paper-thin Elm seeds Look for minibeasts on leaves and flowers |
Small white flowers of
Privet (very sweet smell)
Green Elder berries – some already ripe. Hawthorn berries appearing (green) Spear Thistles - purple flowers White flowers of Hogweed White and pink Honeysuckle flowers, with a lovely sweet smell Fungi in grass Purple flowers on Buddleia (Niddrie Marischal end of hedgerow) |
Honeysuckle – with bright red, shiny
berries in clusters
Snowberries out Ripe, dark purple clusters of Elder berries Ripe, bright red Hawthorn berries Downy heads of Spear Thistles and Dandelions Dry seed heads of Hogweed Small, black berries of Privet Birds eating berries |
White Snowberries
Some red Hawthorn berries Old nests in bushes |
