--Characteristics--
Also known as the Eglantine Rose, Sweet Briar can at first sight be mistaken for a Dog Rose. With similar flowers and foliage, the major difference between the two is that the Sweet Briar has leaves which give off a sweet apple scent, especially after rain or in humid conditions. Native to Britain, it is found in hedgerows in the south of England. Its dense, prickly habit of growth makes it a good impenetrable country garden hedge, or it can be used in mixed wildlife hedges.
Site and soil
The Sweet Briar does well on most soils except those which are very wet. It is very cold tolerant and copes well with exposed situations, coastal sites and chalky soils.
Height and spread
After 10 years: 2.5m x 2.5m
After 20 years: 2.5m x 2.5m
Leaf and bark
The leaves are mid-green, pinnate, divided into 5-7 leaflets and finely serrated at the margins. They give off a sweet fragrance, especially after rain and in humid conditions. The leaf stems are covered with small spines. The young shoots have a reddish tinge, quickly becoming smooth and green; older bark is grey.
Flower, fruit and seed
The flowers are borne singly or in clusters from May to June. They are about 3cm across, 5-petalled, pale pink, white near the base of the petals, with many yellow stamens. The fruits are oval fleshy scarlet hips enclosing the bristly seeds.
Uses
Hedges, mixed wildlife hedges. Vitamin C is extracted from the hips; the hips are also used for cosmetic preparations.
Wildlife
Bees and hoverflies are attracted to the flowers. Many birds, including blackbirds, waxwings and greenfinches feed on the hips. Small mammals like the Bank Vole also eat the hips.
--Plant Protection--
--Planting & Care--
Planting
More commonly used as part of a mixed species within a native hawthorn hedge.
New hedgerows should be planted in two staggered rows 30cm apart.
We recommend a minimum of 5 plants per metre.
Aftercare
Hedges should be trimmed in winter. They can also be hard-pruned in early spring.
The main reasons for buying protection is to protect the plants against:
- Pests
- Spraying
- Strimming
Pests
When it comes to deciding what protection to choose the golden rule is to choose the product dependent on which pest you are protecting against. The below will help you in deciding what height of protection you will need.
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 |
 |
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| Vole, Mice 20cm |
Rabbit 60cm |
Hare 75cm |
Roe Deer, Muntjac 1.20m |
Fallow Deer 1.50m |
| Pest & Minimum Protection Height | Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants. |
Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites. |
Vole, Mice 20cm |
Vole Guard* 20cm *Not recommended for this species |
None required |
| Pest & Minimum Protection Height | Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants. |
Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites. |
| Sorted by price; lowest to highest | ||
Rabbit 60cm |
Spiral Guard* 60cm x 38mm, 60cm x 50mm *Not recommended for this species |
Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbs |
| Tubex Easywrap* 60cm x 50-65mm *Not recommended for this species |
Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbs |
|
| Mesh Guard with Spray Shield 60cm x 130mm |
2 x Bamboo Canes 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbs |
|
| Tubex Fruitwrap* 60cm x 65-80mm *Not recommended for this species |
Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbs |
|
| Tubex Ecostart* 60cm x 57-73cm *Not recommended for this species |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
|
| Tubex Tree Shelter 60cm x 73-105mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
|
| Tubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube 60cm x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
|
| Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube 60cm x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
|
| Tubex Shrub Shelter 60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 144-200mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
|
| Tubex Shrub Shelterguard Mesh Tube 60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
|
| Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube for Shrubs 60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
|
| Pest & Minimum Protection Height | Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants. |
Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites. |
| Sorted by price; lowest to highest | ||
Hare 75cm |
Tubex Easywrap* 75cm x 50-65mm *Not recommended for this species |
Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbs |
| Spiral Guard* 75cm x 50mm *Not recommended for this species |
Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbs |
|
| Tubex Fruitwrap* 75cm x 65-80mm *Not recommended for this species |
Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbs |
|
| Tubex Ecostart* 75cm x 57-73mm *Not recommended for this species |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm |
|
| Tubex Tree Shelter 75cm x 73-105mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm |
|
| Tubex Combitube 75cm x 73-105mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm |
|
| Tubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube 90cm x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm |
|
| Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube 75cm x 80-110mm, 90cm x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm |
|
| Tubex Shrub Shelter 75cm x 130-160mm, 75cm x 144-200mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm |
|
| Pest & Minimum Protection Height | Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants. |
Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites. |
| Sorted by price; lowest to highest | ||
Roe Deer/Muntjac 1.20m |
Tubex Tree Shelter* 1.20m x 73-105mm, 1.20m x 80-120mm *Not recommended for this species |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mm |
| Tubex Combitube* 1.20m x 73-105mm *Not recommended for this species |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mm |
|
| Tubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube* 1.20m x 80-110mm *Not recommended for this species |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mm |
|
| Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube* 1.20m x 80-110mm *Not recommended for this species |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mm |
|
| Galvanised Mesh Tree Guard* 1.20m x 300mm *Not recommended for this species |
Machine Rounded Tree Stake 1.20m x 50mm, 1.50m x 50mm |
|
| Pest & Minimum Protection Height | Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants. |
Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites. |
| Sorted by price; lowest to highest | ||
| Fallow Deer 1.50m |
Tubex Tree Shelter* 1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mm *Not recommended for this species |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mm |
| Tubex Combitube* 1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mm *Not recommended for this species |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mm |
|
| Tubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube* 1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mm *Not recommended for this species |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mm |
|
| Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube* 1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mm *Not recommended for this species |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mm |
|
| Galvanised Mesh Tree Guard* 1.80m x 300mm, 1.80m x 600mm *Not recommended for this species |
Machine Rounded Tree Stake 1.80m x 60mm |
|
Spraying
Tubex tree shelters offer the benefit of not only protecting against animal damage, they also ensure that herbicides do not come into contact with the plants during spraying.
The main reason for spraying is weed control, however, there are other options available to suppress weeds, such as weed control matting.
Strimming
Young plants should be protected from damage caused when strimming. To protect plants solely for strimming, our strimmer guards are the ideal product.
