Hedge your bets
Small hedges are versatile in the home garden, Gareth Carter says. He lists some that might be suitable for your garden.
Hcan serve several functions. They can create privacy from neighbours or the street. Hedges are used to provide shelter and protection from wind and sun. They can be for purely aesthetic purposes where they create rooms within a property or are used to guide the eye to a particular vista while blocking another area. A dividing hedge allows for different themed areas.
Some hedges are designed to edge a garden or patio and still be seen over, while others will need to grow large and tall to provide the required screening or protection.
There are many applications where the same hedge will provide several functions.
Today’s column looks at some of the suitable species for small hedges in the home garden. These varieties are suitable for edging gardens, pathways or separating one area from another in the garden. They are also useful around a lawn area.
Buxus: This has been a traditional hedge for centuries. The epitome of the formal English garden, it provides a classic look. It has in recent times become more problematic to grow with the arrival and spread of buxus blight. This disease isn’t always a problem and can be controlled with spraying. It can be kept as a hedge from 25cm high up to 1.5m high (this would take 12-15 years).
There are a few varieties available including Buxus sempervivans, the traditional variety. Buxus Green Gem has a slightly larger and more rounded leaf and is slightly faster growing. Another popular form is Buxus Korensis (Korean Box) which has lighter, more lime green, new growth and a softer, slightly weeping appearance with its foliage. This variety has shown resistance to buxus blight. Plant four per metre. It will take three to five years to establish a 30cm high hedge.
Chilean Guava aka Myrtus ugni or NZ Cranberry: This fruiting hedge is a great