Hedging and hedges choosing types and heights
Before choosing a hedge you need to identify any specific requirements, such as the desired height to be achieved and maintained. Its a good idea to take a walk round your area and see which hedges grow well similar situations and soil conditions because this saves you making a bad investment from the outset. Some hedges will not grow well in exposed areas, where there is salt blow or in chalky conditions, for example. Consider the amount of annual maintenance it will need bearing in mind that the timing and frequency of pruning depends on the species and the general effect required.
Low growing = maintain at one to three feet in height
- Berberis - deep burgundy foliage and slow growth, a good hedge material if you don't mind thorns.
- Boxwood - can be clipped into highly-detailed shapes without looking woody, but very slow growing
- Eugenia - offers a variegated cream and green appearance, usually planted in front of boxwood for contrast.
Medium = maintain at three to four feet
- Ilex - very fine hedge material. Usually the slower a plant grows, the pricier it is and this is true for ilex (better known as holly). Remember you need to plant both male and female plants to get berries.
- Pittosporum this versatile evergreen has many shapes and forms to provide a range of clipping possibilities from tight hedges to small trees.
Medium to Tall = maintain at no less than four feet or up to full growing height to serve as a noise or visual screen
- Cherry laurel - tall and somewhat fast-growing, but can be clipped tightly for a tall hedge or screen.
- Leylandii cypress - makes a fine, tall screen if clipped every few months. Not long-lived.
- Privet - fast-growing and poisonous to livestock
- Yew is both highly expensive and the slowest-growing of all hedge plants. Yews are definitely an investment in the long-term possibilities of your property.
Hedge gardening tall hedge photograph by steven m, used under a creative commons attribution licence
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