Planting hedges for research

RHS Principal Horticultural Scientist, Dr Tijana Blanusa, recently led a team to plant around 60 hedge plants at a secondary school in Surrey.

28 November 2022

Wellies were pulled on and spades were out as around 60 hedge plants (20-25 metres of hedge) were planted at Hoe Valley School, Woking. RHS Principal Horticultural Scientist Dr Tijana Blanusa (below, second from right) led the planting of a broadleaf mix (Ligustrum and Eleagnus) and an evergreen (Thuja and Eleagnus), in the school’s playground. 

A real-world partnership

Dr Blanusa is ‘incredibly excited about starting a real world experiment’ and ‘grateful to the school and its leadership for a supportive, forward-looking partnership’.

Further investigations 

Dr Blanusa's research examines the hypothesis that mixed hedging has more year-round environmental benefits than planting just one species. Next spring, around 90 year 10 pupils will participate in further investigations to understand young people’s perceptions of the role of plants in improving the environment. The children will be involved in learning more about the role of plants in reducing flood risks, improving air quality and summertime cooling – either by using a new online tool (developed together with the RHS Communities team) or through the hands-on science sessions in school, led by Dr Blanusa. They will get an insight into what working as a horticultural scientist entails – planning and taking measurements on the hedge and from the soil, and then analysing collected data. 

Oliver Woolley, Assistant Head Teacher, says, "As teachers we want to encourage a love of a subject and bring it to life. Dr Blanusa’s project might inspire future horticulturalists, scientists and environmentalists. Our students are looking forward to getting involved."

Find out more about this two-year project.