Hedges

[masochismTangoer]

We are looking for an evergreen hedge for the back of the garden and to the side a deciduous hedge would be fine.

We are not really gardeners but could do with greater privacy - we are slightly down a hill and the house behind us in winter can see straight into ours - there is a magnolia tree which is nice but a bit big for the garden though lovely if not frosted and a hazel tree so spring/summer we do have more privacy.


We will probably -hopefully- be moving on in 4/5 years time so a established hedge giving privacy would probably be a selling point and in the intervening years would be nice if we could enjoy the garden more.

So what do we need to be thinking about - it is south facing garden and the soil is not clay or sand. When should we be buying and what and how do we prepare the ground ?

Should we just plant some kind of conifers at the back or would a native mix sold here be any good:

www.hopesgrovenurseries.co.uk/index.php?action=calculate&hedgelengthS=1&yardsmetresS=Metres&plantspacingS=15&numberofplantsS=4&hedgelengthD=12&yardsmetresD=Metres&plantspacingD=20&numberofplantsD=16&SearchGO.x=40&SearchGO.y=13

The mixture comprises 50% Quickthorn and Blackthorn to knit the hedge together, 10% Green Holly, 10% Evergreen Oak, 10% Green Beech, 10% Hornbeam and 10% Wild Rose, Spindle, Guelder Rose and Wayfaring Tree. Available as 2-3ft and 3-4ft transplants. (Except Holly and Evergreen Oak which are supplied pot grown at the same height).

Any what would be the best best for the side hedge? Any any good on-line sites to buy from would also be welcome.

Would really welcome any advise.

[DrSeuss]

Just don't get bloody Leylandi!

[masochismTangoer]

Everyone in RL is saying to us just get some Leylandi - often they have hedges of them themselves apparently they are not hard work and they have a bad press.

[DrSeuss]

They have to be topped regularly or they get out of hand. My parents' neighbours refused to pay to have them topped and they grew taller than the house, blocked out all the sun on that side and ensured that nothing in their garden grew!

[smashingtime]

Hi,
Some councils are prohibiting the planting of Leylandii now because of neighbour disputes so might be best to check if you go down that road!

We are in the process of planting a mixture of hedging and trees in order to get some privacy from our neighbours windows. We've also decided to use a range of different trees and shrubs including Cherry laurel, Photinia (Red Robin) and Pyracanthus (orange glow). I'm hoping it will give an informal look and a bit of interest combined with my Prunus trees.

[jonicomelately]

I think Hornbeam for the deciduous hedge is very classy.

[masochismTangoer]

DH is not keen on Leylandii idea - think he would prefer more of a informal mix.

I have had a look at pictures of Hornbeam hedges and I do like what I am seeing though we do also like Photinia Red Robin which would need sun so would be better at the side.

We are now thinking about Cherry laural at the back.

Thank you for the ideas - will keep looking and reading up and possibly get around to ordering.

[masochismTangoer]

hmm - now DH is thinking about bamboo down the side of the garden. We have a clump planted by previous owners - more to read up about and consider.

[catinthehat2]

I've used this company for my hedging requirements over the years.

Take a bit of time to check out their planting guides on the link, it's pretty comprehensive.

I've had holly and beech from them in the past both to provide much what you are seeking.

Listen to what everyone is saying, and avoid leylandii please please please. EVen if yuo are reliable about topping it, someone who moves in after you might not be. It will put The Fear in your current neighbours, they will not like it.

[catinthehat2]

Bamboo is a thug, you could regret that as well!

[DrSeuss]

Bamboo entered the southern tip of Chile about twenty years ago and has now spread as far as Ecuador!

[masochismTangoer]

Thanks catinthehat2 - I will have a good read.

We have decided against leylandii - though I would love to put THE Fear into next door neighbour as her behaviour since we moved in has been vile but we do not want leylandii at the side of the garden.

There does seem to many more attractive options available.

[penona]

Don't ever plant out bamboo! Lovely in a pot, but spreads very quickly indeed in the ground. We planted it out in our last house, and within 3 years it had covered our neighbours garden! It also drops bits everywhere, horrid.

We have pyracanthus at the end of our garden, it is hardy and evergreen, plus the birds like the berries so they come down for a feed. It is also quite easy to look after, although a bit spindly.

We have some lovely yew hedging in our garden, slightly more formal style but we bought them quite established and they look lovely and bushy and thick (I hate box hedging, so wasn't an option). But only about 1m high, probably not enough for you.

Look at rootball hedging, stil around for another month or so, tis much cheaper (esp for holly) and/or get more height for your money. Holly grows very slowly indeed, so will need to by at the height you want to get some use in the next 4/5 years.

[masochismTangoer]

catinthehat2
Bamboo is a thug, you could regret that as well!

Not sure about that - the clump we have has not spread at all - assume it must be in a pot - planted by previous owners and we have been here over three years now. Does a very good job of screening and giving some privacy. Obviously it would need a barrier of some sort - pot, impermeable membrane ect. It does look like an expensive option so I am favouring other plants.

[penona]

You could go round to our old house and dig up the bamboo there Yes it must be in a pot or something, it travels very easily.

Could you have a trellis with climbers or do you want more screening than that? There are some evergreen jasmines that grow quickly and smell lovely. But better on an existing fence, not reallty stand alone.

There are lots of beech hedges round here, they look great when the leaves turn all autumnal, very pretty.

[masochismTangoer]

Maybe it the type of bamboo - the, if it is in a pot, is buried and not visible.

Will look at pyracanthus - though I think the holly might be out. There is a very sick holly plant under the Magnolia tree - not doing well and not growing very fast. I was planning to leave it and plant round it and give it a chance.

penona
and within 3 years it had covered our neighbours garden! It also drops bits everywhere, horrid.

DH went ohh at that - not that we would.

[masochismTangoer]

Will look into evergreen jasmines. We put a fence up so do have something for them to climb up. We did avoid the Russian Vine cuttings family kept bringing to cover fence as I did know that was a thug.

[cece]

We have an extremely big hedge down both sides of our garden, many decades old. It is 5 feet wide in places. Some sort of evergreen but no idea what. We have to cut it once a year. A lot of work due to the length of our garden but would not be so much of a problem in a normal size one!

At the bottom we have a beech (I think) hedge. Deciduous but the brown crispy leaves stay on it all winter so not too see through.

[smashingtime]

If you thinking about climbers try Clematis Armandii - evergreen and vigorous! You could extend height of fence with trellis or wires.

I'm also going to grow some evergreen climbers up through my trees so they provide some privacy cover when the leaves come off over the winter.

[masochismTangoer]

ohh thanks smashingtime will look out for that climber.

[edeb]

Hi MasochismTangoer,

The main point I see here is that you intend to leave in 5ish years.
A hedging plants are much cheaper than a fence, but a hedge is not guaranteed to add to the value more than a fence.
I think it would be sensible to choose the cheapest plants that you like the look of. The plants below are all fast growing & will be a nice hedge in 5 years.

To help your hedge look it's best when you sell the house, I really recommend using mycorrizhal "friendly fungi" on the roots at planting time.
A woven plastic mulch sheet is a great investment & will make the hedge much more low maintenance by keeping the weeds out and trapping moisture in the summer. The hedge will quickly hide it as it grows.

For the evergreen hedge, consider privet, cherry laurel, portugal laurel or holm oak.

For the deciduous hedge, it will look best if it is made up of either beech/hornbeam, which hold their autumn leaves in winter, or if it is a mixed country hedge without those two plants.

[edeb]

Sorry, you also asked when to buy hedging plants: the answer now (in mid Febraury) is immediately!

The best time to buy any hedge plants or trees is winter, when they are sold bareroot.