Regional hedge for Ile-de-France, Normandy, and Hauts-de-France in a 5m (16ft) kit.

You can create a regional hedge for Île-de-France, Normandy and Hauts-de-France with this kit composed of 5 different deciduous shrub varieties. In these northern regions, the climate is semi-temperate, neither scorching in summer nor freezing in winter, with rainfall spread throughout the year. The soils are rich and deep, often clayey, with a tendency towards neutral to acidic. These moist, even waterlogged, soils in winter will retain moisture even in summer. The species that are adapted to this area have a preference for heavy, non-calcareous soils and can withstand periods of frost, even strong ones. This kit allows you to create a small hedge, 5 metres (16 feet) in length, well suited for a moderately sized garden. 

The kit consists of: 

- 1 Black elderberry - Sambucus nigra. A large shrub or small deciduous tree that grows rapidly, with an open habit and often shoots from the stump, which will reach 6 metres (20 feet) in all directions if not pruned. It has large leaves that fall in autumn and blooms from May to June. Its wide, flat inflorescences are a bright cream color and are nectar-rich, and fragrant. Its black berries are edible once cooked, but also highly appreciated by birds. 

- 1 European spindle tree - Euonymus europaeus. This native deciduous shrub is 3 metres (10 feet) high by 2 metres (7 feet) wide and is highly decorative in autumn. Its green leaves turn beautiful fiery colors in October, mixing red and pink with shades of purple. The spring flowering is discreet, but it is followed by the formation of remarkably colorful fruits in orange and fuchsia pink, very visible on the leafless branches at the end of the season. Hardy and tolerant of pruning, it will adapt anywhere.

- 1 Hornbeam - Carpinus betulus. A very robust native tree with slow growth and a pyramidal habit that becomes rounded over time. At maturity, it can theoretically reach 25 metres (82 feet) in height, but regular pruning will keep it at much more reasonable dimensions. The hornbeam's light green foliage turns beautiful yellow-orange shades in autumn. It is marcescent: the leaves do not fall, they remain attached until the new ones appear. The flowering is discreet, with male catkins of yellow color in autumn, and thin green female catkins that appear in March. The fruits, called samaras, are clustered in pendulous clusters that turn yellow-brown when ripe. 

- 1 Guelder-rose - Viburnum opulus. A beautiful deciduous shrub with a rounded habit, measuring about 3 to 4 metres (10 to 13 feet) in all directions, decorative from spring to autumn. It offers a lovely flowering in May to June, composed of numerous nectar-rich white flowers. Its berries turn red when ripe and are sought after by birds. The foliage darkens to purple in late season. This species is very resistant to wet cold. 

- 1 Dogwood - Cornus sanguinea. A remarkable native shrub in winter, recognizable by its bright red young branches. Its beautiful glossy green foliage takes on warm autumnal hues. It produces discreet inflorescences in late spring or early summer, which are appreciated by pollinating insects. Its small round berries are a delight for birds. With rapid growth, this dogwood forms a spreading clump that reaches 2.50 to 3 metres (8 to 10 feet) in all directions if not pruned. With regular pruning near the ground, it remains smaller, but produces many particularly colorful young branches. The red-stemmed dogwood thrives in all types of soil.

Plant these shrubs in full sun or partial shade, in well-prepared ordinary soil, mixing them and spacing them 60 cm (24in) to 1 m (3ft) apart. To avoid repetitive pruning, install your shrubs on the boundaries with the countryside (neighboring hedges should not exceed 2 meters (7 feet) in height). Avoid pruning during the nesting season. Proceed on a case-by-case basis, shortening the branches of shrubs that become too large.