GUIDE TO HEDGING PLANTS

Western red cedar (Thuja plicata)

● Evergreen hedge 1.5–6m (5–20ft) high.

● Very neat conifer hedge.

● Not as fast growing but more manageable than Leyland cypress.

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)

● Deciduous hedge 1–5m (3–16ft) high.

● Small, attractively lobed leaves. White ‘mayflower’ blossom then red berries.

● Very easily clipped into a neat hedge. Thorny, so an excellent barrier and great for wildlife.

Yew (Taxus baccata)

● Evergreen hedge 1–5m (3–16ft) high

● The most forgiving of hedges that can be trimmed into almost any shape. Excellent for shade.

● Dense cover offers early nest sites. Red drupes produced on female plants are eaten by birds.

Wild privet (Ligustrum vulgare)

● Evergreen hedge 1–4m (3–13ft) high. ● Small leaves with scented clusters of small white flowers in spring followed by black berries. ● Clips into a very neat hedge.

Holly (Ilex aquifolium)

● Evergreen. hedge 1–4m (3–13ft) high.

● Prickly leaves make an excellent barrier, safe retreat and ideal nest site.

● Female plants produce red berries with a male nearby, much loved by birds.

Mixed native

● Arguably the most beneficial hedge for wildlife, because of the diversity of tree species it contains.

● Typically has a high proportion of hawthorn, plus field maple, hazel, buckthorn, dogwood, dog rose, privet and Guelder rose.

● Take care with blackthorn because it can sucker freely.

Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) and

beech (Fagus sylvatica)

● Deciduous (but may retain dead brown leaves in winter, offering you extra privacy) hedges 1–5m (3–16ft) high.

● There are no showy flowers but they offer excellent nesting opportunities for birds.