GARDEN ADVICE

Hedging

A hedge can give all year round interest and a wonderful texture and depth. A hedge can also provide a haven for wildlife and, if you go for something prickly, like Holly or Rosa rogusa, a deterrent for thieves. It also makes a good windbreak.

Traditionally hedges were planted in the autumn when bare root plants were available. With the advent of pot grown plants hedging can be planted in the winter or spring provided care is taken in planting and the subjects are kept well watered. There are many plants that are suitable for hedging but chose with care. Take into account the size of the garden and the eventual height you want to achieve. Also consider how impatient you are.

Box may be great for parterres, Lavender and Rosemary may frame a footpath but if you want to hide the neighbours or the bins you may need something a little more rampant. Beech is a great hedging plant whether you go for the green or copper coloured leaves. It should be trimmed in August and can be cut back harder during the winter. Hornbeam is a good native hedging species which is a fairly speedy grower. Like Beech it often retains its old dead leaves over winter. It should be trimmed in late summer. Of course hedges can give you more than just leaves. Escallonia macrantha is an evergreen with red flowers in summer. It needs a trim after flowering and requires a sunny site. Berberis stenophylla makes a good informal evergreen hedge with yellow flowers in spring. Not one for the tidy minded. Yew is a classic traditional choice. It is evergreen and responds well to being cut back into shape. Good old reliable privet also has its place. For an informal country look a mixture of Holly, Beech, Hornbeam, Rosarogusa and Honeysuckle takes some beating.

Much has been written of late about the Leyland Cypress which is the triffid of the hedging world, blocking out the light and the view and destroying many a neighbourly relationship. It is true that these tall, fast growing conifers can prove a menace if they are not properly looked after. However, if they are regularly and enthusiastically clipped 2 or 3 times a year they can form a very attractive hedge. Given the reputation of the Leyland Cypress you may wish to find an alternative. I would suggest Thuja plicata which unlike the Leyland needs only one trim each year in spring.

The success of your hedge will depend largely on how well it is planted. Do give it a good start by ensuring that the planting trench is sufficient in size and a good deal of organic matter is incorporated into the soil. Don't forget to water the plants in thoroughly and be prepared to water as the hedge gets established. Sometimes a single row of plants is sufficient but for a thicker hedge a double staggered row is required.

Most hedges need clipping and particular attention needs to be given in the early years. Always prune the hedge so that it is wider at the base than at the top. This enables the lower leaves to receive adequate sunlight. Secateurs are good for trimming young plants and large leafed plants such as Laurel because they do less damage. Shears are fine for small leafed hedges such as Holly. Hedge trimmers are useful for large hedges but do not give such a good finish. The trick is to keep the hedge trimmer or shears flat against the face of the hedge. Use string stretched between two posts to ensure you cut the top of the hedge level.