hedges

[Marymint]

I have to trim the hedge, at the front of my property, very regularly. Is there something I can replace it with that requires less maintenance? (I don't want to erect a fence or wall). Many thanks. Marymint.

[landscaper2]

I think that you may have restricted your options somewhat Marymint! Two or maybe three cuts a year should be enough for your hedge and well worth the effort. 'Living' boundaries are becoming popular again and rightly so. Keep it, enjoy it and enjoy the wildlife that make it their home.

[Marymint]

Thank you Landscaper2. But perhaps 'regularly' didn't quite cut it. I'm talking 2 and 3 times a week during the height of the season! It sprouts overnight, and the Latin name is Thuja Placata. I repeat I don't want to deprive the wild life of a home (they don't build nests 6' above the pavements next to the A41) I only want to replace it.

[landscaper2]

Sorry MM, slightly misread your query. I'm a bit mystified tho by your having to trim it 2-3 times A WEEK! A couple of times a year is usual for a conifer hedge, with the last one Augustish and the Thuja is slower growing than the Lleylandii. Hope it hasn't got its feet in your drains!! A privet will need 2 trims per year - but in your garden, who knows!

[Marymint]

Landscaper. Yes, you certainly have misread my query. Thuja is not a conifer - it's not even an evergreen. In fact I was thinking of replacing it with a leylendi hedge. I have one of these in the back garden, and that only has a cut once a year. MM.

[Hawkwalk]

Thuja certainly is a conifer and is also an evergreen. As landscaper says it should not need triming more that 2-3 times a year so i would suggest you either dont have a thuja or you are not trimming it hard enough in the first place.