Privacy and a native hedge

[TheRealMaudOHara]

We have a gorgeous native hedge. Absolutely love it - full of noisy sparrows and the hedgehogs use it as a highway etc. However, due to the fact our garden is raised, once the leaves fall in the autumn it's a bit like being on stage performing for the neighbours when we are outside!

I started to wonder if it would be crazy to weave some willow or hazel rods through it to create a bit more privacy in winter. Almost like a home made hurdle? It's pretty tightly packed and there are a couple of evergreens in there but not enough to make a difference. The last owners put hurdles up when the hedge was planted but they fell apart within a couple of years.

I just wondered if anyone had come across any really creative solutions which might help with privacy? We only need it to be 2-3 feet high really!

Oh I've just googled and come across the concept of a 'dead hedge'. It looks really interesting but wonder if it can be combined with a living hedge successfully!

Yes, you can interweave dead branches between the trunks of the living bushes. Do it in a single layer - if you went full “dead hedge” about a foot thick you’d impede the growth of the hedge. So think of it as weaving a hurdle with your hedge as uprights.

Don’t let willow touch the ground. It roots far too easily.

Another solution would be to get the hedge laid properly. A well laid hedge is a thing of beauty.

One of our neighbours lays his hedge every year. It is a work of beauty and does make a lot of difference in terms of privacy.

Oh I had always thought of hedge laying as more agricultural for livestock etc but it might be a great solution for us! Thanks so much both for the suggestion, will done some research!

Laying would certainly help to thicken it up, and over the winter is the perfect time. You don't need to get too hung up on following some traditional style and it's not like you need to create a livestock -proof barrier.

Beech hedges keep their leaves well. Could you incorporate some beech saplings into the hedge, and lay them to give a spread of cover as they grow.

Yes @BeetleManiac I need to be careful I don't procrastinate too much and worry about perfection! Just needs to keep nosey neighbours out a bit really!

@BigGapMum I love beech hedges but this one is pretty mature and tends to choke out any seedlings I've tried for, except the super aggressive stuff like Elder! Thanks for the suggestion though