Hedge advice please

[Kirbstones]

I'm new to the website and new to gardening. I've knocked down a small retaining wall with the intention of replacing it with a hedge. Ideally I'd like something that is evergreen, medium speed growth, wildlife friendly and easy to look after. Please could you let me have your thoughts about the best option and when would be the best time to plant the hedge. Sorry for such a basic query. Any assistance appreciated.

[hazzygawa]

Laurel

[agg221]

How tall would you like it to get, and what is the other side of it?

 

Yew is good, but toxic to some animals.

Holly can work well, and if left slightly more 'ragged' will also produce berries which are good for wildlife. Some of the modern cultivars can be variegated, some thornless, or if you need a good barrier then the good old-fashioned spiky sort is effective!

Not evergreen, but beech and hornbeam will retain their (brown) leaves all winter. Choose between them based on the soil.

 

All the above can be kept from about 3ft in height upwards, and can be cut back very hard and will happily green up again (unlike some conifers which remain brown once the growing tips are cut off).

 

Alec

[Jesse]

Yew, it grows quicker than you think, or Holly . Just my thoughts, also you need to consider what soil type you have first and then select a hedge to suit, drainage should also be taken into account, hope that helps.

[Gnarlyoak]

Why not mix it up, rather than just have one species. Creates more interest for form; colour and attraction to other wildlife with flowers & berries.

 

yew; holly; laurel; pyracantha; beech

[Jesse]

Why not mix it up, rather than just have one species. Creates more interest for form; colour and attraction to other wildlife with flowers & berries.

 

yew; holly; laurel; pyracantha; beech

 

I like this idea, mixed species would look attractive.

[HCR]

Maybe throw in some barberry, as long as you're not next to wheat fields.

 

In terms of timing - bare-root needs to be done outside the growing season (November-April ish), container-grown pretty much all year round, but avoiding the driest spells and being prepared to water a lot if required.

[broonie]

I have just replaced my dead leylandii with red robin and laurel.

[agg221]

The timing depends on your patience and budget, which relates to the length. As HCR has said, bare-root wants to go in when not growing, the earlier the better as the roots keep growing even while the top is dormant, so they get away better if they're established before the spring. Pot grown can go in anytime, but are a lot more expensive per tree. They will also need regular watering through the season if they don't go in when dormant.

 

Alec

[MATTMOSS]

Photinia - red robin makes a very nice attractive hedge.

Not sure about the mix of species mentioned above, although a mixed hedge can be very good eg a mix of Thorns.

I would say before deciding on a species for a hedge think about

 

1, How high you want your hedge to be?

2, Close clipped of rough?

3, Evergreen or Diciduous?

4, Child friendly/Thorns/Poisionous

 

When you know that it will be a lot easier to make some suggestions.

[Quickthorn]

As well as the post above:

 

What sort of soil, sandy/clay, free draining/wet, etc?

How much sun does it get typically?

Is it exposed or sheltered?

What direction do most of the winds come from?

Whereabouts in the country are you?