A hedge is planted to define boundaries within and around the garden to
create a sense of security and privacy. They play an important part in providing
wind protection unlike solid barriers a hedge filters the wind and slows it
down. Hedges can be used to screen unwanted views and prickly hedges can deter
unwanted visitors.
Many types of plants can be used for a hedge, they can be formal or
informal but will need to be regularly clipped or pruned to keep them
attractive. Small or large, flowering or foliage, evergreen or deciduous, slow
or fast growing all will need the line of the hedge to be thoroughly prepared.
Double digging, incorporating organic matter and mulching after planting are
essential ingredients to successful growth, on an exposed site it would be
prudent to provide artificial protection for a few years until the hedge has
established.
 | Taxus baccata (yew) a well proven coniferous hedge can be grown to any
height and width, trim in late summer to early autumn. |
| Berberis thunbergii makes a dense spiny impenetrable boundary hedge with
dramatic autumn colour, trim after flowering in spring. |
| Crataegus monogyna (common hawthorn) thrives under any but the wettest of
soil conditions. |
| Cotonester lacteus grows up to 12 foot tall, this is one of many of the
Cotonester species that makes an excellent informal boundary hedge for the
large garden. |
| Forsythia intermedia this bushy vigorous shrub makes a good flowering
hedge up to 8 foot high. bright yellow flowers in spring emerge on bare
brown branches, prune after flowering to keep in shape. |
| Fuchsia riccartonii this popular upright shrub makes a beautiful low to
medium hedge that grows best in a mild or protected situation. Cut back hard
each spring. |
| Spiraea vanhouttei an early summer flowering shrub with masses of white
flowers makes a bushy informal hedge up to 6 foot high. Good for clay soils
and exposed sites, the hedge should be pruned to strong buds and older
shoots removed after flowering. |
| Rosmarinus officinalis makes a hedge up to 4 foot high, best in mild or
protected gardens where it forms a decorative internal low hedge. Pale blue
flowers appear along the stems in spring and autumn suitable for costal and
hot dry sites. |
| Ribes brockbankii is an early pink flowering upright shrub valued for its
bright yellow green hairy leaves. This flowering currant establishes well on
most soils best, in part shad to keep its yellow foliage. |
| Hebe White Gem a rounded, tidy shrub suitable for a low hedge up to
30" high. The densely packed deep green leaves are covered by white
spikes of flowers from early summer. Best in mild regions on moist soil in
full sun, trim lightly in spring or after flowering. |
