Special hedges
Wildlife hedges
A wildlife hedge is an informal one that includes trees and shrubs with berries, flowers, fruits and nuts that will attract beneficial creatures. They’re typically composed of 60-70 per cent hawthorn with four or five other species. Plants to consider include field maple, hazel, spindle, blackthorn and crab apple. Once established, train native climbers into the hedge and underplant with wild flowers.
Security hedges
A dense, prickly hedge will help to keep out unwanted animals and put off trespassers. Holly, pyracantha, roses, sea buckthorn and berberis are all ideal. Police advise that hedges in the front garden should only be grown to window height, so potential intruders can be seen from the street. At the back or sides of your property you can allow them to grow to 1.8m (6ft) or more.
Tapestry hedges
Tapestry hedges make an exciting alternative to a traditional informal hedge. A selection of different plants, with the same speed of growth and habit, are planted alongside each other in a repeating pattern. It’s possible to grow all sorts of plants together but for tried and tested recipes, try three green beech followed by a copper beech, or green hollies interspersed with variegated ones.
Small garden solution
A typical hedge can eat up a lot of space, so a good option for smaller gardens are ‘hedges on stilts’. These instant-impact trees consist of a clear stem, measuring from 1.2-2.2m (4-7¼ft) in height, with a head of branches trained and clipped to form a flat plane. Once planted in a row, branches are allowed to intertwine to create a solid ‘hedge’. The space underneath can be underplanted or used to display ornaments.
Elaeagnus ebbingei
An evergreen shrub with large, leathery leaves and masses of tiny, fragrant flowers in autumn. Happy in sun or partial shade, it will tolerate dry soil and can withstand salt-laden winds. A good choice for exposed sites.
BEST FOR
Formal hedges, informal hedges, pleached hedging
Carpinus betulus
Common hornbeam’s green leaves turn yellow and then brown in autumn, often remaining on branches into winter. It will do well in sun or semi-shade, and is a good choice for wet, but not waterlogged soils.
BEST FOR
Formal hedges, wildlife hedges, pleached hedging
Thuja plicata
A great alternative to leylandii, this conifer has glossy green, aromatic leaves on reddish stems. It grows 60cm (2ft) annually and responds well to regular clipping. Good in sun, it will thrive in any moist, well-drained soil.
BEST FOR
Formal hedges