Hedges are a versatile garden feature that can be used to define boundaries or different zones within the garden, screen for privacy and noise, shelter from wind, screen fencing or walls, or to attract and provide a home for wildlife.
Autumn is the ideal time to plant a hedge because the ground is warmed up from the summer and also has a good moisture content (particularly this year). Now is the time to act before the first frosts begin to bite. Here is a guide to the different species that will be most suitable for hedges.
If you want a hedge to define a boundary or create extra privacy in your garden, you are unlikely to want a delay of several years while the hedge establishes itself. It is possible to buy ready-grown hedges that have been planted in troughs and have already knitted together, which is obviously an instant solution.
However, it can be a costly option, especially if you have a large stretch to cover. Leylandii are the best known fast-growing species, typically gaining a height of around 60 cm per year. It’s also evergreen so it’s good for year-round privacy and highly tolerant of most soils. However it’s important to keep them in check with regular trims, as they can get out of hand.
Beech is a good shade-tolerant hedge plant that will grow at a rate of about 30 cm per year. It has dense broad green foliage in summer that turns deep gold in the autumn. However a well maintained beech hedge will not shed its leaves completely overwinter, so it’s still a good option for screening and sound insulation.
Bamboo is gaining popularity as a fast-growing and evergreen hedge plant. However, be careful as some species will grow up to 6ft tall if not properly maintained, and the roots can spread and invade other plants and structures.
Privet is a classic choice for a dense hedge and it will grow at a rate of about 30 cm a year. It’s classed as ‘semi-evergreen’ as it will retain its leaves in mild winter conditions, but cold spells can leave it bare. It is a very tolerant and hardy species and will grow in almost any conditions, but requires regular trimming to keep it in the best condition.
Thorn is a good choice if you want a hedge for a boundary that will deter intruders and cats or foxes, because it’s very dense and prickly. It will produce seasonal berries and flowers, adding extra visual interest to your garden and attracting pollinating insects and birds.
For a hedge that produces attractive summer foliage, lilac is a good choice because it will reliably produce pretty lavender blooms that have a pleasant fragrance. Camellia is another flowering hedge variety that will produce rose-like blooms in late winter and early spring.
If you are looking for fencing in Lancashire, please get in touch with us today.
