Replacing A Fence With A Hedge

[badhorsey]

My front garden faces onto a busy road and currently, there's a low wall with a fence in place. I'd like to replace this with a hedge to get a bit of privacy. the garden itself is paved.

What would be the best approach? Should I remove the fence and or the wall? I would guess that I'll have to lift the paving too for the fence to root!

Is this something that's easy to do or is best to hire the an expert - and in the case of the latter, what would the likely cost be? it's probably about 15 feet long.

Thanks!

[woofgang]

can you have the hedge any higher than the fence? often roadside gardens have a limit on boundary heights

[bookbinder]

Remove the fence. If you leave it there, it will get in the way when you need to prune the hedge.
You might well have to lift some paving to make room for planting a hedge. Is that easy? It depends on how fit and strong you are.
My suggestion for what type of hedge plant: berberis.

[AuntPollyGrey]

Check with your council on the permitted height for hedging next to the roadside.
You cannot plant a fully formed hedge, most hedging plants ( apart from leylandii which you should steer clear of) may take years to provide the privacy you have with your wall and fence.
Hedging is expensive, much more so than fencing. I planted a hedge 2 years ago and you can still see through it, though its also got post and rail fencing behind it. I used this company:
https://www.hedgesdirect.co.uk/

[The Builder]

I've used that Company, Aunty Poll, for a beech hedge.

It really didn't cost a lot, and the plants come in various heights, maybe 2 to 6 feet high.

[AuntPollyGrey]

The Builder -yes I bought a Native blend for around 30 metres of hedge between a field and carpark. It cost around £ 700 but the 'whips' varied in size depending on species and you have to plant them double width at around 6 - 9 inches apart. 2 years on the bird cherry is around 6ft but some of the species are only 3 feet and I wouldn't say it was private though when I get it topped off this year ( as advised) it should thicken up next year.

[Chipchopper]

For all year round privacy, you may like to consider planting an evergreen hedge. I think pyracantha or holly would be suitable, both have attractive berries in the winter, which are also attractive to birds.
The hedge can be kept at the desired level by formative pruning.

[Vagus]

Have a look at Laurel hedging. It’s evergreen and pretty quick growing. We planted two a couple of years ago and are very pleased. If you keep the height trimmed then it thickens the hedge out, both of ours are completely dense and unseethroughable.