Hedging and hedges – planting a security hedge

There are several reasons for planting a security hedge, not only to intruders. Many people want a hedge that will also deal with exposure issues such as traffic noise, being overseen by other people and shelter provision for more tender plants.

If you require an evergreen hedge the best recommendation is a combination of holly and bayberry or Ilex and Berberis. Berberis Darwinni and Berberis Stenophylla, both produce yellow/orange flowers in early summer and the sharp thorns will deter intruders. These plants do well with the native holly, Ilex Aquifolium, and can be under-planted with Pyracantha (also known as firethorn) or Cotoneaster.

Non evergreen hedges need to remain spiky or dense when the leaves fall, and there is a good range of plants available for this purpose such as:

1. Rugosa Alba – which is a wild rose with white flowers, it’s strong growing and disease free and the blooms are strongly scented. It has attractive rosehips too.
2. Crataeagus Monogyna or Hawthorn - Extensively planted as a hedge in this country which tells you something about its suitability It has white fragrant flowers laden with red fruits in the Autumn, it’s also very prickly.
3. Prunus Spinosa or Blackthorn or Sloe – This plant has dark and very spiny branches which bear small white flowers in March or early April. The fruits are like miniscule damsons, being blue at first and then shining black – they are used for flavouring gin.
4. Rubrifolia – is a spiny and very strong plant with small pink slightly scented blooms, autumn it has attractive purple and red foliage.

Hedge gardening sloe photograph by smoobs, used under a creative commons attribution licence

 

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