Hedge plants

• Boundaries between two properties
• Dividers between different parts of the garden
• Low edging and bed dividing
• Screens and windbreaks
• Creating privacy

Hedges make brilliant property boundaries, as well as providing privacy from neighbours and passers-by. They’re also perfect for dividing up parts of the garden, giving shelter from strong prevailing winds and creating a ‘living’ barrier.

Depending on the hedging plants chosen, they are either formal in appearance – using foliage plants with tight, even growth – or informal, using plants that flower and produce berries or fruit.

As the hedge will be there for many years and you want good, strong growth, the best way to plant any new hedge is to dig a good sized trench where you intend to plant the hedging plants. Replace/improve the soil with lots of bulky organic matter – such as well-rotted manure, compost, tree & shrub planting compost or composted bark. For best results, the trench should be around 45-60cm (18in-2ft) wide and around 30-45cm (12-18in) deep. The bottom of the trench should be dug/forked over to remove any compaction and clay pans to ensure good drainage. Use more of the organic matter mixed with soil when replanting – and water in well. Water plants thoroughly for at least the first year after planting.

The best time to plant a hedge is either in autumn or in early spring.

As well as being more interesting than a fence, they provide colour and are used by birds for nesting. They can also be used as security hedges to deter trespassers and other unwanted visitors.

They need regular – at least once a year if not more – cutting back to keep them in shape and prevent them growing too tall.

The following are all excellent hedging plants.

Always check the plants are suitable for your soil type, growing conditions (coastal/cold, exposed etc.) and the position (sun or shade) of the intended hedge.

S For hedges from 30-90cm (1-3ft)
M For hedges from 90cm-1.2m (3-4ft)
M-L For hedges from 90cm-1.8m (3-6ft)
L For hedges taller than 1.8m (6ft)

Evergreen
Aucuba japonica M-L
Berberis darwinii M
Berberis x stenophylla M-L
Berberis verruculosa S-M
Buxus sempervirens S-M
Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’ S
Cotoneaster lacteus, Cotoneaster franchetii L
Elaeagnus L
Escallonia M-L
Euonymus fortunei S-M
Euonymus japonicus M-L
Griselinia littoralis AGM M
Hebe brachysiphon, Hebe salicifolia M-L
Hebe x franciscana S
Ilex M-L
Lavandula angustifolia M
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’, ‘Loddon Pink’, ‘Munstead’ S
Ligustrum delavayanum, Ligustrum ovalifolium M-L
Lonicera nitida S-M
Olearia x haastii S-M
Olearia macrodonta S-M
Osmanthus x burkwoodii M-L
Osmanthus delavayi M-L
Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ M-L
Pittosporum tenuifolium M-L
Prunus laurocerasus M-L
Prunus lusitanica M-L
Pyracantha M-L
Rosmarinus officinalis S-M
Santolina chamaecyparissus S
Viburnum M-L

Conifers
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana M-L
Cuprocyparis leylandii L
Cupressus macrocarpa M-L
Taxus baccata M-L
Thuja plicata ‘Atrovirens’ M-L

Deciduous
Acer campestre M-L
Alnus cordata L
Berberis x ottawensis f. purpurea ‘Superba’ M
Berberis thunbergii ‘Erecta’ S-M
Carpinus betulus M-L
Cotoneaster simonsii M-L
Crataegus monogyna M-L
Fagus sylvatica M-L
Hippophae rhamnoides M-L
Potentilla S
Prunus cerasifera L
Prunus spinosa L
Ribes sanguineum M-L
Rosa M-L
Spiraea ‘Arguta’ M
Spiraea japonica S-M
Symphoricarpos M
Viburnum opulus S-M

Hedges for special purposes

Thorny security hedges
Berberis x stenophylla M-L
Crataegus monogyna M-L
Genista hispanica S
Hippophae rhamnoides M-L
Ilex aquifolium M-L
Prunus spinosa L
Pyracantha M-L

Hedges for shade

Aucuba japonica M-L
Buxus S-M
Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald Gaiety’ and ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’ S
Ilex aquifolium and Ilex x altaclerensis M-L
Prunus laurocerasus and Prunus lusitanica M-L
Symphoricarpos M-L

Hedges for cold, exposed gardens

Berberis x stenophylla M-L
Carpinus betulus M-L
Crataegus monogyna M-L
Fagus sylvatica M-L
Ilex aquifolium M-L
Prunus laurocerasus and Prunus lusitanica M-L
Taxus baccata M-L
Thuja plicata ‘Atrovirens’ M-L