Please can someone advise me on what hedge to plant?

[smiley389]

I have just awoken to the loss of three fence panels in a small garden, and am now thinking of planting a hedge which obviously needs to withstand a lot of wind as I lose panels every year!

Have looked at Leylandii but could well fall out with my neighbours. I have littel money (like everyone else). So any ideas? I would like it to be thick and reach 6ft tall.

Sharon

[northernmonkey]

Hi
Maybe B&Q or ideally the Garden Centre

[rowanwitch]

For wildlife/all year interest a mixed hedge of berberis, pyracantha, laurel, and hawthorn would get to 6 ft eventually most being thorny are also good for security. you could also add in rosa rugosa varieties or rosa glauca and some of the clematis species that way youy will have all year interest. If you want plain and don't mind doing some regular pruning the portugese luarel is good or the common one

If you really must plant a conifer hedge Yew is probably best as it is slower growing and wildlife friendly.

[modeller]

I remember going to a talk at Key on the subject of hedges and the first question was :
1.What do you want the hedge for ?
Is it to give similar privacy to a fence ? If so go for a small leaf plant, and one that has thin branches. (Remember a plant with large leaves has to be cut by hand to avoid cutting leaves in half.) These two points are important as it makes it easier to cut with a machine and the plant can be cut to any shape. Most of those present plumped for Privet. On the other hand if you want the hedge to be ornamental or wildlife friendly the a mixed hedge is is better.

[madmaggot]

Hawthorn or blackthorn would fit the bill, although it would grow higher if left will only need a trim once a year. Good security, as Rowanwitch said, and you also get a crop of berries that you can make lovely jellies or drinks from! Hazel is nice but not as secure.

[modeller]

I should have mentioned if you want all year round privacy then the hedge should be ever green, which is also nicer in a small garden. Another point is speed of growth . You say you want it to be 6ft tall and depending on the starting size of the plants ,that could take several years. Have you considered replacing the panels and growing a hedge in front. I did that and never again had trouble with the wind.

[boxtops]

We've got pyracantha, I needed something which would deter people climbing over the wall at the back. It grew busy and it's prickly, it has yellow pendant flowers and little purple fruit which the birds love. You need to clip it back from time to time but it makes a great hedge.

[rowanwitch]

Sorry boxtops you haven't got a pyracantha... you've got berberis pyracantha has white flowers and yellow red or orange berries,,, i think berberis can look a lot nicer

[Whoever]

Pyracantha is good with wildlife (lots of aumumn berries) and grows very quickly but you've got to be disciplined enough to prune it regularly, and it has lots of painful thorns. Beech is quite attractive, as although the leaves brown in autumn they stay on the branches for much of the winter and the new spring leaves are a delightful green. Privit is awful. The flowers stink. Only worth growing if you have kids who keep stick insects as pets, as this is what they eat!

[modeller]

Here is a site that lists a number of evergreen hedges,

http://gardening.abou.../tp/Privacy_Hedge.htm