Hedge Help

[nj79]

Hi, we’ve just taken down a low 10m brick wall (collapsed) between us and our neighbours and we’ve agreed to plant a hedge instead. I have just planted some Griselina along the front railings.

We want something evergreen and low(ish) as it isn’t for privacy. I know nothing about hedges and went to a nursery yesterday but they weren’t very helpful.

Nursery mentioned Escallunia but have been reading and looks like it grows to around 10m tall. I understand you can keep them low but assume something that is naturally smaller is more appropriate? May not plant a boarder so would be good if the hedge was attractive.

From what I’ve seen online, Escallunia is lovely (although lots of different types and colours) and also like the look of Lonicera (in gold and green).

Any advice or suggestions gratefully received.

Thank you!

I have never in my life seen an escallonia anywhere near as big as that! Ultimate height is no measure of what type of plant makes a good hedge anyway. Beech, for instance makes a brilliant hedge, but grown as a specimen tree, you're talking an eventual height of 50 metres.

Escallonia shrubs make a good flowering informal hedge, and you just give them a trim now and again to keep them the height you want. Lonicera is good too, but you don't get flowers (they do have flowers but they're minute and green).

Portugal Laurel evergreen with really pretty white flowers early summer or Photina which has two flushes of red both I have seen at about 5 ft.

Beech is nice. Athough not evergreen it does retain the brown leaves in the winter so provides cover. It is very neat and tidy and has a good balance between being relatively fast growing but not needing too much cutting.

Beech in winter

Mock orange would be lovely

Thank you! Made me feel better about the Escallunia! Thought it meant I’d have be cutting it down a lot! Will check out the other suggestions too. Mock orange looks stunning but isn’t evergreen?
Should have said it’s south facing.
Thanks.