Check Here Before Buying – Pot Size Matters...Not all websites offer the same. Plants in a 2-litre pot have twice the root system of a P9 or 1 litre pot.

 

Check Here Before Buying – Pot Size Matters...Not all websites offer the same. Plants in a 2 litre pot have twice the root system of a P9 or 1 litre pot.

How to choose Hedging Plants

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a hedge. Would you like it to flower or not? Would you like it to be evergreen or deciduous? Is it to be placed in a formal garden or an informal garden? It is best to think about what you would like the plant for before making your final decision.

 

Shop for hedging plants

 

Always take into account the soil conditions and amount of maintenance the plant will need. Check which hedges grow locally in similar conditions and situations in order to get an idea of what will work best for you. 

 

  Hedging in the UK

 

Conifers are often used for hedging or screening

 

Flowering or not?

Flowering hedges look stunning when they bloom, and their pretty flowers can provide extra cover if you are looking for a privacy hedge. The most beautiful varieties of flowering hedge include :-

Berberis

Cotoneaster

Crataegus (Hawthorn)

Escallonia

 

Crataegus Crimson Cloud

 

However, if you don’t want the extra maintenance that goes with a flowering variety of hedge (deadheading, pinching, picking up dead flowers etc…) then you are best selecting a variety that does not flower instead.

 

Variegated Foliage?

There are some variegated species of hedge. They tend to be a little more expensive because they are slower growing. Thus, they are better for smaller hedges. They can add a colourful backdrop to any garden. The best hedges with variegated foliage are :-

Ilex aquifolium (Holly)

Aucuba japonica (Spotted Laurel)

Euonymus fortunei

Ligustrum ovalifolium (Golden Privet)

 

Variegated holly with berries

 

Shop for hedging plants


Golden Foliage?

A lot of hedges have golden foliage and these are excellent for bringing bright, permanent colour to the garden. A golden hedge can really breathe life into a darker corner and looks beautiful as an uplifting backdrop. Some golden hedges are:

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Stardust'

Cupressocyparis x leylandii (Gold Leylandii)

Ligustrum ovalifolium (Golden Privet)

Lonicera nitida 'Baggesen's Gold'

 

Lonicera Baggesens Gold

 

Evergreen or Deciduous?

Evergreen hedges provide cover all year round, so they are best for privacy hedges and shelterbelts, but they do tend to need a little more maintenance and need to be pruned at least twice a year. Conifers are popular evergreen choices, but these do need to be pruned regularly. If your conifer gets neglected or overgrown, they cannot be restored.

Deciduous plants can make fine hedges too. The privacy factor is greatly reduced with a deciduous hedge, but they are more forgiving to a lack of pruning and can flourish just as well without it. The beautiful golden, red and bronze autumn foliage is also a treat and can provide a changing colour dynamic throughout the seasons. 

At the end of the day, the choice between an evergreen and a deciduous hedge comes down to two main questions. One, do you want your hedge to act as a privacy or security screen? Two, do you have the time and drive to maintain it? If the answer to both of these is ‘yes’, then you are best with an evergreen hedge. If it’s ‘no’, go for a deciduous hedge.

 

Species for low hedges

Some gardeners seek a lower hedge in their garden rather than a tall screen hedge. Some great varieties include :-

Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood)

Cotoneaster horizontalis

Lavandula angustifolia (English lavender)

Prunus lauroceraus ‘Otto Luyken’

Potentilla

Rosemary

 

Potentilla Goldfinger

 

Shop for hedging plants

 

Planting a Privacy Hedge

Privacy hedges are great for providing cover from street traffic and neighbours. They serve as living fences and, if treated properly, can serve for many, many years.

For privacy screens, you will usually want hedges that grow between 1m – 2m or higher. Some great varieties for tall screening hedges include :-

Buxus Sempervirens (Box hedging)

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

Cotoneaster lacteus

Escallonia rubra

Euonymus japonicus

Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’

Pyracantha

Taxus baccata (Common Yew)

 

Photinia Red Robin

 

You may also be interested in practising the art of topiary, which involves trimming trees and shrubs into ornamental shapes. If your topiary trees are large enough, they can serve as excellent hedges with ease. Topiary trees need proper care and regular pruning to maintain their unique shapes, and this should be done regularly.

 

Planting a hedge

Evergreen and semi-evergreen hedges should be planted in early autumn. Deciduous hedges should be planted in mid-autumn to late winter, providing the soil is not frozen or waterlogged. New hedges need to be well watered for the first two years.

Prepare the ground by digging a 60cm – 90cm wide strip that is one spade-blade deep. Use a herbicide to remove all weeds, and add organic matter, compost, or a tree and shrub planting mix into the soil.

Planting distance can vary from 30cm – 60cm depending on the size of the hedge required, the plant’s final size, and the vigour of the plant. Trim back damaged roots to a healthy growth prior to planting.

 

Mixed hedging

Mixed plant hedging will soon blend into the local landscape once established

 

Spread the roots and work soil between them. Water in (well if the soil is dry) and add mulch after planting to avoid the growth of new weeds. Ensure your hedges are planted well for the next two years, especially during dry spells. Apply a general-purpose weed killer once per year, and keep the ground around the hedge weed free for at least 45cm.

Hedges may take anywhere between three and seven years to grow to the size that you desire. Semi-mature hedges may be purchased to get around this, but they are more expensive and are more prone to establishment problems.

Shelter hedges from strong winds and frost during their first few years. 

 

Shop for hedging plants

 

Comments

No posts found

Write a Review

 

Share this page: