what is the best time of year to plant hedging ?

[GREENBANK]

and what is the best type of hedge plant to use ?
at the highest it needs to be 1.5m, and i would prefer something which will have foiliage all year round
please and thanks..

[mrknowall]

Conifers are green all round but they do grow fast and have to be maintained i wouldnt put these in.
We have them and your forever trimming them and think ahead can you cut them when your older.

[WendyS]

Spring is probably the best time because then the roots can take advantage of the rest of the growing seasons to establish themselves. Personally I think conifers are rather dull and boring and many of them do need a lot of trimming to keep them under control, and I think somethink like a beech hedge might be more attractive. The plants will thicken up quickly once they've established themselves, have lovely fresh green leaves in spring and usually keep most of their leaves, once they have turned brown, during the winter months. Whatever you plant, make sure you keep the roots well watered for the first year, especially if the weather is dry.

[Thunderbird+]

I think Holly (Ilex) makes a great evergreen hedge, if you think the colour is a bit drab, you can choose a variegaed variety such as 'Golden King' or 'Silver Queen' they are a little slow to start off but steady growth once settled in.
Pruned once a year in the spring is usually enough.
Pot grown plants can be planted any time of the year. choose male or female varieties if you want the berries which are an exellent food source for wild birds.
Good Luck Tbird+

[faraday]

Greenbank

I am looking for a hedging plant too. There are so many to choose from, but I have settled on a flowering currant, of which I have one already. Although these plants are often grown as a single specimen they are suitable for hedging, according to D G Hessayon.

Ribes sanguineum Pulborough Scarlet is the one I am going for. Good luck in your search.

Faraday

[heathfield]

I put in beech. It'll take about 4 years before it starts to look in any way mature, but you'll end up with a practical and classy hedge that will last longer than you will. As WendyS says, they keep their leaves over winter.
Seedlings are numerous in any beech woodland. just dig them up and plant them in holes lined with some wetted compost, about 18 ins apart. Now is the best time. Trim in late June and August.

[amonty1144]

if you want something that is good for wildlife, then plant a variety, try quickthorn, blackthorn and beech. Also put in some small trees, like crab apple and holly.
If you really want quick growing, try willow.
Avoid conifers, some grow out of hand and if you live on a windy site, they go brown.

Plant now and keep the roots moist until established

[pidgoe]

always go for a native variety as it is a valuable habitat for native animals which are facing harsh times with farmers and developers getting rid oflarge proportions of native hedgerow